Make BYOD work for your school

Bringing tech into the classroom and making it part of the learning process is a big trend right now. Actually, it’s more than just a trend; it’s the way of the future. One of the simpler methods of doing this is to implement a BYOD (bring your own device) system. This is where students use their personal smartphones, laptops and tablets in their classes.

The main reason why this solution for getting tech into lessons is so popular is because the school doesn’t have to pay for the devices. Sure, you’ll end up with an array of different operating systems and tech capabilities, but the savings in cost does make up for this.

So how do you get started with BYOD? It’s simple. You just have to make sure that you have a proper plan in place with rules and regulations that your whole school can follow.

Start with research

First of all, research the most common devices that you’ll likely be presented with. You can do a survey in your school and ask the parents for their input too. Getting the parents on board is essential because they have to approve the use of the devices that they have bought.

Once you know what technology you have to work with, you can start to look into teaching apps, security protocols and collaboration tools.

Get the right school MDM solution

Before implementing any use of technology in the classroom, make sure you are protected. School MDM (mobile device management) solutions are designed to help you secure all of the devices that are connected to your network. You can monitor how each one is being used through your chosen platform. Additionally, you can restrict access to anything that is deemed unnecessary to the classroom or potentially harmful to the child.

With a cloud-based platform like Mobile Guardian, your systems administrator will have access to the dashboard at any time, on the go. There are also several excellent options out there that work on multiple devices and operating systems, meaning you aren’t limited as to what you can connect to your network.

Adapt your curriculum

The final step is to work out how to implement the use of devices within the school curriculum. Start small - only one grade and one subject. Through the testing phase, you can learn what works and what doesn’t. Don’t forget to ask the parents in your school for input as they get to see how their children have taken to the new style of teaching at home.

Resources to help with your BYOD school setup

It can be a big step to change the way you teach in your school. However, technology is no longer just available; it’s now part of the very way we live. It just makes sense to bring it into the classroom and integrate it into the curriculum.

The good news is, you’re not alone. There are plenty of resources out there for you to put to use, including:

• Surviving a BYOD Implementation

• K-12 Blueprint

• Teach Mag - How Schools are Implementing ‘Bring Your Own Device’

• CIO - How to implement an effective BYOD policy

Discover Mobile Guardian

Campus by Mobile Guardian is a complete software suite designed for education. It includes Classroom Management tools, Web Filtering, and an MDM toolset to ensure your school is able to transform and manage devices when they are at school.

Onwards,

Robyn Hobson

Team Mobile Guardian