Since Technology is getting cheaper day by day and making the use of Tablets and smartphones have made the human more intelligent and skillful. Every Technology have both the impacts positive as well as negative. So use of BYOD totally depends upon the instructor. I am using these devices and found very much helpful in classrooms as less paperworks and discussion becomes more interactive.

Dear Miranda Yeoh, Like it or not the BYOD phenomenon is happening already and this is the initial issue facing the IT business. However, within that global alarming figure there are large regional differences and hence no change is predicted.

Miranda,

This is a highly provocative question and one which I have conflicting views. On the one hand it can be a really useful tool so that the students can take notes, look up references , etc. On the other hand it can also be a mayor distraction in which the professor is competing for the students attention.

So far it seems to be the latter on my side as opposed to my wishes of the former.

I think it will bring great confusion into the classroom, at least at the beginning of this way of teaching. In contrast to desktops/laptops we are talking about two major players here, Android and Apple. Until we don't have a single widely used platform or a cross-platform solution it will be difficult to build the network we are used to in the lab infrastructure while demanding BYOD.

What I could personally bring into the classroom is my Windows laptop and what I call a 'smart phone' but what makes my students laugh (it's just a plain mobile phone and my allegedly smart mind). Up to now it's enough to have fun classes, which students seem to enjoy and draw some insight from.

Michael, there's no doubt that you are very clever and smart. Even from this little photo of you on RG, you look smart. Teachers like me have developed some kind of ability to look around the class and count the number of smart students, and cheeky, playful ones. It's 'written' on the face and the expression :) I can't say more now because I'm working with my little tab.

(Blushing ;). Answering in a cheeky, playful tone, I may look smart on the photo for some because of my blue, blue shirt.

Honestly, if you could describe how intelligent people look like and we could boil that down into an algorithm we would create a big bang in HRM and make a mint.

I agree with some of the sentiments above. Until there is a common or at least small subset of common platforms, it remains an interesting and SOMETIMES useful tool. We start treading into the area of brand lock-down...well not exactly but teaching would have to support all the viable options for OS to avoid some learners being excluded.

@Marcus, how could we support interacting apps on crossover platforms (IOS, Android, ...), I wonder. Here in Thailand we have a 'brutal force' solution - for grade 1 students! They ALL get a tablet computer with educational apps, so they just have to take care of their devices to be part of the BYOD program. Do we manage to provide something like that in tertiary education?

There could, for many uses be "univalve" apps which work cross platform. Apps that work via a web browser could work ok (as long as they don't use flash). Not all but some.

The "brute force" technique would solve all the problems, and I suppose in some programs, like pharmacy here, that is what they did. Not sure it has wide applications though. Usig virtual worlds brings about this problem, but if Jibe is the great browser based VW that is promised, then that make a HUGE difference.

OK, @Marcus, cross platform apps are there in the market. How well appreciated they are would be worth studying. Developing cross platform apps is quite a task, though. Josh Clark has blogged about the problems accompanying CPD (e.g., here http://www.creativebloq.com/design/designing-touch-2123037).

Syed Noman Ali summarizes the current state of the art quite well, I think: 'While applications are getting diverse and user bases are expanding, there is no one clear platform of choice. During this tug of war, application developers are faced with the debate of whether they should be designing cross-platform apps or multiple apps for different platforms. Depending on the goals and features of your app, you could either benefit or lose from cross-platform mobile apps.' (http://socialmediatoday.com/syed-noman-ali/1613271/benefits-and-disadvantages-developing-cross-platform-mobile-apps)

If Miranda were so kind to consider educational SW developers as being part of the 'education scene', I would state that BYOD has a lot of consequences.

Hello friends, at this moment, I can only read your comments because I'm working on my little tab. I'm on holiday till Friday. Will get back to you all again by next week. My holiday is even more busy than working time, because I help to run the children's ABC, annual bible camp. It's also great fun.

Miranda,

Great - enjoy the excitement - will read your news later.

Regards

Any new concept or technology, if used sensibly for a good cause, it can transform the target environment for good. But, i wonder, the misuse of the technology will lead to a serious damage to the education system. We have to educate the society as well as imbibe the culture of proper assimilation of New Technology in academic environment .

If all devices can execute the code which is being taught, then no problem. But if we have to fix compatibility issues, then the lesson has gone away and we are trying just to put different operational systems to work together at the same project.

Thanks Prof Ravi, Demetris et al., I agree that 'if used sensibly for a good cause, it can transform the target environment for good.....misuse of the technology will lead to a serious damage to the education'.

And with this thought, 'if we have to fix compatibility issues, then the lesson has gone away and we are trying just to put different operational systems to work together.

Let's wait and see what our other friends say.....

Does anyone actually have experience in BYOD classrooms? I admit only having lectured in traditional lab rooms with tens of computers connected to our campus LAN.

Michael et al.'

BYOD is for Primary schools in Malaysia. The students use the FrogAsia system. Each student has an account. The education minister of Finland was interested in the FrogAsia system and visited us recently. Another thing they use is the Chrome Book. It has not yet come to college, so I'm still quite blurrrrr. Thanks Michael :)

Dear All,

I am sorry because of my heretic and old fashioned views. I have no BYOD at all, I use only – as Michael expressed so properly – my mind. I am aware a teacher needs no devices to teach appropriately. Human ideas and power of reasoning cannot be substituted still for a long time. I think that not the use or possession of technical devices influence really performance of teachers and students. I am afraid the overuse of these devices – and a lot of other ethical and societal changes – may be responsible for the deterioration of education these days.

OK, now I understand your concept of BYOD. At least in classes like this the students and teachers have the same platform, which makes sense. In Thailand we have the One Tablet Per Child program (OTPC) based on Windows 8 and Android tablet computers.

The main problem here is for the teachers, who will have to adapt to new ways of teaching and evaluation. The young students don't mind, they don't know it better (or worse). We're about to start a number of projects assessing the impact of this classroom approach.

@Andras, Michael et al., it seems that in some places, students can BYOD even to exams. I heard this at a conference in October last year.

That's why I put up 2 questions concerning BYOD. It will mean that exams have to test higher order questions, not on knowledge and remembering the knowledge. Perhaps exams will be like Projects? What do YOU ALL think?

@Andras, I think like you; 'the overuse of these devices – and a lot of other ethical and societal changes – may be responsible for the deterioration of education these days'

That's why I need to adapt to this idea. Thanks :)

@Miranda, I am a bit an old fashioned professor, but I admit that I do read about! As You like many readings, here is a paper on BYOD which has many sources of further guidance! Many links!

Regarding issues of security of such networks, when students and faculty connect their devices to the network using a single service set identifier (SSID), it must be SAFE, as well as simple for deployment, troubleshooting...etc! Such safe technology exist and platforms have been developed, but I can not mention a single product because of RG policy!

http://www.nen.gov.uk/files/NEN_Guidance_Note_5_BYOD.pdf

@Ljubomir, thanks for this link that leads to others. At least, Michael and I, will benefit from the great amount of info to be found on this link.

@Michael et al., we can see if the 'Benefits of BYOD for schools' are achieved in Thailand and in Malaysia...

@Miranda, so you're planning similar projects of evaluation?

@Michael et al., although I see myself mainly as a good teacher, and less as a researcher, I have to evaluate as well. Especially projects that consume so much of our education budget :)

BYOD is a "no, no" for me! As expressed earlier, it will bring chaos and confusion. Students will be distracted, not very focused. It will help them to be independent but disadvantages will be more than advantages, at least that's what I believe !

Dear Jaya, BYOD has started for primary students. That's why I asked this question. It's just a matter of a few more years then they will be at secondary school and they come to us. If we are prepared, we can manage to get good out of it. Hopefully :)

It's ok, if they are trained from childhood and moreover like I - phones have occupied a considerable place in every students' life, modern devices may do the same and then, maybe teachers won't be necessary !

Dear Jaya, teachers are very necessary. Right now, during labs, I get my students to search for info using mobile internet. Recently, something unusual happened. There was an error, students should name the classes of Arthropods, but instead of Arthropods, the word was Mammalia. With our simple BYOD, no problem at all. Better learning :)

Sent from mobile.

Accepted, time will tell :))

When primary students get to high school their BYODs will have been gone. I wonder what they'll do then and who's going to pay for this. After all, it's not a one-time investment for a country, is it? Who'll be the lucky ones?

Hi, this is just an observation on the BYOD debate, in some parts of the UK  BYOD is appearing and can cause difficulties in the classroom for the teacher for another reason. Some families are unable to afford expensive devices which can mean childrens' education can suffer. Sometimes young people may have access at school, but lack of familiarity with a device could seriously compromise their ability to learn within the classroom, as they may well still be trying to figure out how to use the technology rather than concentrating on what the teacher/lecturer is trying to impart and of course the subject matter with which they are supposed to be engaging .

School staff tout benefits of ‘Bring Your Own Device’ pilot Participation is good, discipline problems absent! Worth experience, a fresh one!

http://www.somdnews.com/article/20150114/NEWS/150119791/1043&source=RSS&template=gazette

Dear Mrs. Miranda Yeoh,

In my opinion technology can enhance learning at every point in a lesson. Hence, BYOD ("Bring Your Own Device") adopter are expected to more engaged in learning activities.

Thanks for the link Prof Ljubomir.

'The Charles County Public Schools’ pilot Bring Your Own Device Program, which allows students to rely on their mobile devices for use in the classroom, continues to expand to the students’ benefit, administration at various schools opined at the Tuesday school board meeting.  Three schools, Arthur Middleton Elementary, General Smallwood Middle and Thomas Stone High schools, piloted the program during the 2013-14 school year. Principals from each school presented to the board of education on BYOD Tuesday, touting the opportunities for massive advantages for students.'

I have been using my 2 tablets during our practicals to good advantage, to overcome the problem of our college, built in lean times. @Michael, when primary school kids get to secondary school, they may have a better computer system than my Windows Vista. @Afaq, do you have links about BYOD in your country?

Dear @Miranda, BYOD goes back to school!

Good case study: "North Hennepin Community College is a two-year college in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It's part of the Minnesota State and Universities System. I recently spoke with Kris Boike CIO of the college about Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) at her institution and the selection process behind their choice of the Good Enterprise Suite..."

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/byod-goes-back-to-school/?tag=nl.e101&s_cid=e101&ttag=e101&ftag=TRE684d531

Thanks very much for the link @Ljubomir.  This semester, with more students having a mobile phone, our practical classes were more enjoyable.  They were used to snap images of what we observed under the microscope (as attached), and sent to friends using Whatsapp.  And, I also took short videos of some of my class activities, and transferred the video files to my laptop.