Posted on Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
Saline district encouraging students to bring their own electronic devices to school
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Faced with always-changing technology and increasing electronics prices, the Saline school district is encouraging students to bring their own devices to class, according to a Saline Reporter article.
The "Bring Your Own Devices" program first was introduced at Saline Middle School last spring and now likely is expanding to the high school, according to the story.
School officials say they're investing in upgrading wireless Internet infrastructure so it can support the students' devices. Teachers communicate with students on times it is appropriate to bring the devices to school, the story said.
Comments
CherylJean
Thu, Sep 20, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.
Lots of kids have smart phones for texting, but not all kids are going to have Ipads. I would think twice before letting a kid bring a $500 Ipad to school where they can get mislaid, broken, or stolen. Some kids in Saline are children of farmers and non-professionals who cannot afford to buy this stuff to cart off to school and this action may bring stereotyping into the classroom.
HB11
Thu, Sep 20, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
Exactly what I was trying to imply in my post above, but I just get called old.
HB11
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
That is a lot of expensive equipment for kids to be toting back and forth from home to school. When I was a kid the most expensive thing we brought to school was Mattel Football electronic game. Even that ended up broken.
Jonny Spirit
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
That is the issue when technology is brought up, the old folks say, "we never had that crazy stuff and looked how we turned out" Hey OLD people stop bringing up the past it is 2012 things have changed and will change every day. Kids have to change to keep up with technology. Get use to it.
HB11
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
@ Chris, ;) No, only one way was uphill. But after school we used to take our book bags to the playground and play some kind of sport or game. Not so easy with a $1000 somewhat fragile laptop in the book bag.
Chris
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
In the snow, up hill both ways, HB11?
Linda Peck
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
This article does not mention what types of devices, smart phones, ipads, ipods, tablets, laptops, game boys, all of the above? It is odd that this is so open ended and apparently without limitations or parameters of any kind.
tom swift jr.
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 12:54 p.m.
Unless the district is supplying devices to students whose family can't afford a laptop or iPad, making sure that EVERY student has access to the same technology, this is not a good approach. A teacher can't utilize the technology unless every child has access.
Jonny Spirit
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 9:37 p.m.
"A teacher can't utilize the technology unless every child has access." Wrong, a teacher can show any student how to use technology in there class if it helps them learn. So next your gonna say a teacher can not give homework if they may need to go to the library to use a computer because a student is to poor.
Topher
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.
There are many pros/cons with BYOD - I'm excited to see what Saline uncovers. Will they allow smart cellphones to count as devices?
Topher
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.
I hope that they'll actively collect data to see whether if BYOD increases student achievement.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 12:14 a.m.
who is responsible when they end up missing from lockers or ?
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.
jonney, locks only keep honest people out.
Jonny Spirit
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
First it's never mandated, you can not do that since all students will not be able to participate. It is just a way to assist teaching in the classroom and if it is mandated the school will provide students with the proper device to participate in the classroom activity. Second your student needs to be responsible to lock his or her locker to protect anything in there locker. Next! Stop arguing to argue, your wrong it's OK to admit it.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 3:38 p.m.
@chris, yes, but the book is provided by and therefore property of the district. a device is provided by student and thus property of the student. next question?
Chris
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
Nope, if its required, the student is still responsible. Imagine the kid loses his math book. Is it reasonable to require the parents to pay for it? I think so.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.
@jonney, yes students do, in fact mine do too. HOWEVER, if devices are not required and my kids stuff ends up missing, i guess it's on me. if it ends up missing and REQUIRED, i would argue that it's on the district, because its required for class.
Jonny Spirit
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 10:54 a.m.
Students bring there stuff to school anyway, ummmm think about it!
AySquared
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 11:47 p.m.
I don't see how bringing your own electronic device will lead to "Sexting"?
xmo
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 11:02 p.m.
Are the teachers trying to encourage the students to "Sext, text while class is going on and surf the web during boring times in class? " "Bring Your Own Devices" program"" What about "Poor" students? Are they left behind or do they have to use "social Justice" (Steal from the Rich) to get a device? Just Wondering?
jns131
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
If you have it? Flaunt it. Otherwise the schools have something called computer labs. As for cursive? Just change your font and you are good to go. Cursive was abandoned over 10 or more years ago. Sad reality isn't it?
StopCrying
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
Eliminate cursive? Are you crazy! It is used almost daily in my life :|
Chris
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
How about we just teach to the lowest common denominator? Johnny can't use a computer, so no one can. BTW the article talks about providing technology to kids that can't afford it. Do poor kids "steal from the rich" when they get the school's textbooks?
Klayton
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 1:47 a.m.
Ummmm...they are already doing that in schools (and using them for cheating...etc), however by having structures in the classroom for using the cell phones it actually cuts down on inappropriate uses. I for one and am happy the school is teaching my kids how to use their cell phones and iPods appropriately and productively. It is time to get with the 21st century in schools. Time to stop teaching cursive and start teaching mobile skills (as they will need these for their future jobs)
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 11:31 p.m.
Gosh, xmo, I agree with you! I was especially wondering about the free education that Michigan's constitution guarantees. Do the kids without the bucks do without, or is the school going to provide for them?