Booth MS BYOT Initiative

1

Booth MS BYOT Initiative• BMS is one of two schools in Fayette County that piloted BYOT

in the Spring of 2012. School district initiated this. All schools now have WiFi capability, paid for with SPLOST funds.

• We adopted a “go slow” approach.• We are not mandating the use of these devices by teachers for

instruction, but strongly encouraging it.• We are not requiring any student to have a device.

• A number of teachers have developed classroom lessons that allow students to use these devices in a productive and interactive way.

• Our teachers have been sharing what they have learned with each other and other schools.

• Predicting 5 years to fully implement.2

Why BYOT?Today’s students have been called “digital

natives.” Technology is an integral part of how they communicate, seek knowledge, and process information.

Aids in the goal of having one-to-one technology

Students can use what they know (their own device)

Broadens learning beyond the classroom.Prepares students for higher education and

tomorrow’s workplace. 3

Why BYOT?Address the 21st Century Skills we need to teach:Critical Thinking and Problem SolvingCollaboration Across Networks & Leading by

InfluenceAgility & AdaptabilityInitiative & EntrepreneurialismEffective Oral & Written CommunicationAccessing & Analyzing on-line InformationCuriosity and Imagination

4

Why BYOT?• Research shows improvements in:

– Attention– Engagement and motivation– Critical thinking & problem solving– Discipline– Graduation rates– Achievement on standardized tests

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Why BYOT?• Education researcher Robert Marzano says,

“Applied effectively, technology not only increases student learning, understanding, and achievement but also augments motivation to learn, encourages collaborative learning, and supports the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

• The power of student use of technology does not lie in the device itself. The power is in what the device helps the student do.

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Why BYOT?• The Mid-Continent Regional Education

Laboratory (McREL) identified 246 separate studies that demonstrate that the use of nonlinguistic representations has a very strong positive effect on student learning. For years teachers have struggled to find ways to incorporate this strategy.

• Digital devices offer a huge array of resources to meet this need—from streaming video to interactive presentations.

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BYOT Timeline

Oct, 2011 – Submitted proposal to be a pilot school

Dec 2011 – Student survey completed. Parent Survey sent out to get feedback. (jcbooth.org website). BYOT Staff Committee organized.

Dec 16, 2011 – Jan 1, 2012 – Wi-Fi infrastructure installed.

Jan 1, 2012 – Principal’s BYOT letter sent to parents thru PTO electronic newsletter on Constant Contact.

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BYOT Timeline

Jan 2012 - Meeting with the teachers and staff to

address our expectations and procedures.

- BYOT Contracts (AUA) reviewed in homeroom (PowerPoint provided).

– BYOT Student Committee organized.– Morning & evening Parent meeting

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BYOT TimelineJan 2012 –- BYOT Contracts given to all students to take

home for parent signatures with report cards. - Grade level assemblies to address behavior

expectations and the new BYOT rules.- Students who do not have a signed contract are

not allowed to bring to school or use a personal communications device in class nor may they use anyone else's device

- + Student Information System ‘Flag’.10

BYOT TimelineJan 17, 2012 – Started allowing students to

bring to school their Wi-Fi capable devices for use in classrooms.

Spring 2012:• Monthly District BYOT Pilot Program

meetings with Whitewater HS & District Staff.

• Visits to Forsyth County and Coweta County schools to observe BYOT implementation in Dec’11, Jan’12 & Feb’12. 11

BYOT Timeline Feb 28, 2012 – Hosted the 1st BYOT visit.Apr 2012 – BYOT Use survey for students (+826

responses).Apr 2012 – Orientation for parents of rising 6th

graders on BYOT.Apr & May 2012 – Hosted more BYOT visits.2013: Several Elementary schools pilot BYOT SY 13-14:

AUA included in our district Student Code of Conduct.BYOT in all schools **visit

jcboth.org to see a presentation on the elementary experience** 12

Keys to a Smooth Implementation

1. Communicate with your stakeholders. Parent and teacher buy-in is critical in middle school for success.

2. Find out what their concerns are and develop policies and procedures to overcome them.

3. Provide a supportive and risk-tolerant environment to teachers and students. 13

Parent Survey Responses(Dec’11 survey)

31%

37%

32%

6th Grade7th Grade8th Grade

6th grade: 867th grade: 1008th grade: 87 273

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Parent Survey ResponseWhat are their major concerns?

Security Of Devices

Distraction to Instruction

Inappropriate Use

Inequity

None

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

162

121

120

9

31

15

Parent Survey Response

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6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

58% 56%66%

14% 17%11%

31% 27% 23%

Maybe Allow

Won't Allow

Will Allow

Are you willing to allow your

child to bring a mobile device to

school?

Device Safety/Security Issues

• Students are responsible to safeguard, supervise and secure their devices.

• Students are expected to RESPECT the property of others.• On-line registration of devices for parents.

http://www.jcbooth.org/ (+710 registered)• Adhesive I.D. labels initially provided. • Secure classrooms.• Individual student lockers.• Restrict use in unsupervised areas.• Handle theft or damage as a discipline matter. • Will not be required to have other students use their device

(not required to share). 17

Restrict Inappropriate Use• Students must be RESPONSIBLE – same expectation for

computer use. High Expectations.• Only BYOT Wi-Fi can be used to access internet (NO cell

phone – 3G/4G access allowed). Turn it off!• Wi-Fi has district filter but no log-on required. • Teacher may confiscate any device being used

inappropriately. • School discipline procedures will be enforced.

(SY 11-12: 58 / SY 12-13: 118 / SY 13-14: 26)• Teachers will actively monitor use.• Rules now outlined in the Student Handbook

& District Student Code of Conduct.• Digital Citizenship – provide training & awareness

• Common Sense Media – a great resource18

Reduce Distractions• Teachers have complete control over the

use of devices in their classroom. • “DEVICES UP” & “DEVICES DOWN” signs are

be provided for display in each classroom.• Teachers should let students know in advance

when devices can be used in a lesson.• Some classroom have device storage locations.• Students NOT allowed to use their devices in

common areas: in the halls/unsupervised areas. • This year they are allowed to use them before

school – gym/cafeteria &lunch/recess (except 6th grade)19

Equity Issue• Concerned if a child cannot provide a device that they will

not be left out. • Concerns about “device envy.”• We are working with our school's stakeholders and other

community resources to try to address this, but it hasn't been resolved. (Note: all grant proposals have been turned down so far)

• Provisional Plan: – Students will be able to work in groups with one device.– Use the student computers already in many classrooms. – NOTE: School district doesn’t want us to accepted

donated used devices.

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Classroom Usage

21st Century Students

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How are the devices being used?“Doing Old things in New Ways:

• Access current references and information (Atlas, Almanac, Dictionary, Thesaurus, Weather, Current events, Translator, etc.)

• Access teacher & content websites.• Take and share notes; access notes from web pages.• Organization – calendar/ files/ assignments/ reminders, etc.• Tune instruments; preview music; learn music theory. • Student and teacher collaboration & communication.• Access textbooks & publisher’s resources online.• Document labs; take surveys.• Study aide: digital flashcards for word stems, spelling & math.• Much more – we are researching creative ways of improving student

engagement, motivation and learning & we are depending on our students to lead the way!

“Do new things in new ways” 23

Edmodo

• A secure website used to discuss school related materials. Password protected.

• Students can ask questions about homework to both teachers and to other students.

• Students can access a homework calendar• Teachers can communicate with students,

parents, or other teachers.• Both an Android app and an IOS app are

available (Free)

Online Textbooks• Students can access some books on their

device. • Students can see interactive images and take

digital quizzes.• Students don’t have to carry a book around

with them• Allows for better teacher presentations using the overhead projector

Infinite Campus• System-wide student

information system.• Online grade book for teachers, students

and parents.• Accessible 24/7.• Parents and students receive digital

notifications about grades and missing/failing assignments.

• Free Android and IOS app

EVERNOTE Digital Notebook

• Students can now access the PowerPoint before class and have the notes on their device. This allows the student to focus more on the content versus the writing.

• Students can take pictures of lab activities – examples: microscope pictures, genetic traits lab, outdoor garden, notes/drawings on the whiteboard

Digital Notebook

• Students can now access the PowerPoint before class and have the notes on their device. This allows the student to focus more on the content versus the writing.

• Students can take pictures of lab activities – examples: microscope pictures, genetic traits lab, outdoor garden, notes/drawings on the whiteboard

General Research• Students use their own devices to find

information about lesson content. • Students can use research applications and

notebooks to organize their findings. An example of a great researching app is Evernote - a free app for Android and IOS.

• Students are not spending academic time moving around the building to computer labs or libraries. They are not wasting time logging into computers.

Example Lesson Plans Utilizing Technology

-Genetics traits-Microscope images-Geocaching with genetics-Poll Everywhere-QR codes-Singing and recording, then sharing-PowerPoints directly from student devices-Flipped classroom-Self-directed learning

Cheek Cell Observations

Observing cheek cells using a compound light microscope. Students took pictures of their cells with their devices and shared them on Edmodo.

Cheek Cell Observations

Genetic TraitsStudents learned about specific genetic traits and observed the phenotypes of other students. They posted pictures of the traits on Edmodo so other members of the class could see.

Geocaching with Genetics Vocabulary

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86.6%

3.5%9.8%

How do you feel about the BYOT concept in middle school?

I like it.

I do not like it.

I'm not sure.

Results of Student Survey Spring 2013

Results of Student Survey Spring 2013

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0) 13.9%

1)24.3%

2) 23.9%

3) 21.5%

4) 8.3%

5) 8.0%

Of your five (5) academic teachers, how many ask you to use your device at

least once a week?

0

1

2

3

4

5

41

Mat

h

Readi

ng

Engl

ish

Scie

nce

Social S

tudi

es

Conn

ectio

ns

Non

e

I hav

en't

used

...

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

In which class or classes do you think using BYOT is most helpful?

Results of Student Survey Spring ‘13

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22.8%

11.1%20.1%

3%

11.4%

5.9%

13.9%

5.6%

6.25%

Why do you think BYOT makes learning easier for you?

I'm more interested and motivated.I can work at my own speed.I can work faster.It helps me pay better attention.I can study class material while out-side of school.It helps keep me organized.I'm not sure, but it does.It doesn't make learning easier for me.I haven't used BYOT.

Results of Student Survey Spring ‘13

Improved Academic Achievement

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(Percentages

CRCT6th

Grade 

CRCT7th

Grade  CRCT 8th

Grade  Reading 2012 2013 Reading 2012 2013 Reading 2012 2013Exceeds 71% 77% Exceeds 52% 53% Exceeds 64% 70%Meets 29% 22% Meets 47% 46% Meets 35% 29%DNM 0% 1% DNM 1% 1% DNM 1% 1%ELA 2012 2013 ELA 2012 2013 ELA 2012 2013Exceeds 61% 70% Exceeds 73% 74% Exceeds 66% 70%Meets 38% 30% Meets 27% 24% Meets 33% 30%DNM 1% 1% DNM 0% 1% DNM 1% 0%Math 2012 2013 Math 2012 2013 Math 2012 2013Exceeds 51% 60% Exceeds 70% 68% Exceeds 49% 60%Meets 43% 38% Meets 29% 30% Meets 44% 37%DNM 6% 2% DNM 2% 2% DNM 6% 3%Science 2012 2013 Science 2012 2013 Science 2012 2013Exceeds 47% 49% Exceeds 62% 66% Exceeds 39% 38%Meets 45% 43% Meets 35% 29% Meets 52% 50%DNM 8% 8% DNM 4% 4% DNM 9% 11%Soc Stu 2012 2013 Soc Stu 2012 2013 Soc Stu 2012 2013Exceeds 61% 66% Exceeds 74% 73% Exceeds 46% 49%Meets 33% 29% Meets 21% 22% Meets 46% 41%DNM 7% 5% DNM 5% 5% DNM 8% 10%

Q & A• What questions or concerns

do you have?

44A copy of this presentation is available on the jcboothms.org website.