The learning curve we travel as we move towards technology-infused lessons and classrooms is not always a pleasant path to walk on. We stumble and we get distracted and we learn to discriminate which is the better path to take. We also learn the value of knowing what we can do and what we need to learn to do so as to make the journey a successful undertaking. Our students are currently learning the power and the weaknesses of technology and social media. As one of their guides, I am glad to be part of a group of people who are currently working on our school's BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Guidelines. My part was to create and develop the initial set of guidelines on how to use the devices in school, how to communicate using the devices and how to make sure we are safe as we use these gadgets. |
It was not easy to put this set of rules together, not because of lack of resources but the opposite, there was an overwhelmingly abundant amount of sources in to help create it. All relevant, all important, all daunting. I'm very glad, though, that I saved a snippet of an image I found a long time ago - an image I've been trying to find again to cite its source but can't seem to - and that another educator in the school I work in decided to ask her students to write and share a report on cyber-wellness. Using these resources, plus a few more short ones I found online, I came up with this list of guidelines.
My students and I have gone through the list and have discussed each and every one of them. As a sign of their agreement - and an exercise in understanding the "I Agree" button we often encounter online - we went ahead and signed our copies.
We now also have posters for the classrooms - I hope to get them printed real soon. Also, some students are putting together a presentation about these guidelines - they're slated to present it during Secondary School Assembly next week. :)
It's always exciting to look into new territory. Always great fun to learn with my students.
My students and I have gone through the list and have discussed each and every one of them. As a sign of their agreement - and an exercise in understanding the "I Agree" button we often encounter online - we went ahead and signed our copies.
We now also have posters for the classrooms - I hope to get them printed real soon. Also, some students are putting together a presentation about these guidelines - they're slated to present it during Secondary School Assembly next week. :)
It's always exciting to look into new territory. Always great fun to learn with my students.