Questions & Answers
What types of filtering do you provide when students use the guest network?
Guest access uses a standard filter provided for by HCAA. We’ve found it effective at blocking pornographic and violent sites. We typically do not block social networks (ie Twitter) or YouTube (a site that’s very valuable for educators).
We feel our AUP does a very good job at defining what a student should access when using the school network. Violations of the AUP result in a suspension of access to the network.
Have you seen a rise in theft due to students bringing their own devices?
We have not.
Are students more distracted by having their own devices in the classroom?
It is still the teacher’s discretion at when students can use their devices in the classroom. If distraction becomes an issue, teachers handle it as if they would handle any other type of distraction (ie – through the Code of Conduct).
We have noticed that students text less in class when they have the opportunity to text their friends in the hall. Because it’s not longer a discipline issue to have a phone, discipline violations have fallen.
Have you noticed an increase in student performance because of BYOD?
It can be difficult to prove causality in a complex system such as education (think of all the factors that effect student performance). Here’s what we do know. Because of BYOD and other eLearning initiatives:
- Students have access to their course materials and instruction anywhere and anytime (Sunday night is a popular time in Moodle!).
- Staff members are gaining effeciencies which allows them to provide more (and valuable) feedback to their students
- Students have more opportunities to take courses (for example, online offerings and/or hybrid courses).
- Students are gaining valuable real world experiences that will help them perform well in the 21st century
Taken as a whole, we believe BYOD and eLearning has a positive effect on student performance.
