What is BYOLD?
Bring your own learning device (BYOLD) refers to technology models where students bring a personally-owned device to school for the purpose of learning. It is often referred to as bring your own device (BYOD).
Why BYOLD?
- It is what the students want!
- BYOD provides opportunity for teaching respectful/appropriate use, which will be important in properly preparing them for the future.
- Students take control of ensuring that their device is working, instilling a sense of responsibility.
- E-learning is one of a number of ways students experience learning at Freemans Bay School. Students can use an electronic device for:
- Learning
- Locating and making sense of information from a variety of sources
- Recording what they have learnt
- Sharing their learning – parents, teachers, peers
- Teachers use e-learning to:
- Make learning interactive and engaging
- Personalise learning – provides more choice for students as to how they access and present their learning
- Teach students how to use ICT effectively and safely
- Give students the skills, competencies and attitudes they need to flourish in a world where digital technology is prevalent.
Students will still have access to the current devices in the classroom, this initiative is to provide additional devices for student use when they need to access a device to support their learning. Some students are given an opportunity to have an increasingly flexible timetable and so it is handy for them to be able to access a device when they need it rather than having to waste learning time waiting for a device to become available. This will not mean that students will be on their devices all day at school.
In the video below, Wairakei School principal Shane Buckner discusses why the school adopted a BYOD approach to enable their children to become connected, capable learners, using one-to-one devices to personalise learning.
What should I do if I want my child to bring a digital device from home for use at school?
You need to:
- Sit with your child and go over the BYOLD agreement form. This needs to be discussed carefully so that both you, the parent, and your child know what is expected of you.
- Both you (the parent and/or caregiver) and your child need to complete and sign the BYOLD agreement form.
- The BYOLD agreement form needs to be returned to the classroom teacher.
- Once you have received a confirmation email or letter from the school, your child will then be able bring their own device to school.