There is an urgent need to utilize mobile devices for instruction. Since 2013, there are mobile devices in the world than there are people (https://gsmaintelligence.com/).Mobile devices (both the students’ own technology tools as well as those that are provided by schools have the potential of radically transforming the learning landscape.
When developing a strategy and producing the core components of mobile device policy, there are several essential questions that need to be answered.
What are your desired outcomes?
- to increase access and equity
- to tranform learning experience
- to design relevant learning tasks
- to provide choice and voice for students
- to differentiate for individual needs
- to engage student learning
- to prepare for college and careers
- to increase student achievement
What is the expected timeframe?
- develop a realistic plan for implementation
- consider the resources available
- plan for the changes to infrastructure
- determine the phases the implementation
- decide how will you provide training
What are the roles of the stakeholders?
- School Safety – Develop Responsible Use Guidelines
- Curriculum – Determine necessary changes to instruction
- Technology – Decide how you will provide devices for students
- Communication – Design a marketing plan
- Facilities – Redesign learning spaces to support mobile learning
What is the communication plan?
- Plan how you will engage the community
- Determine your needs and resources
- How will you spread the word throughout the school
What tools and resources are necessary?
- We’re quickly reaching the tipping point that print resources will be unavailable.
- Outline the ways you instruct students in your school/district.
- What platform will you use for instruction.
- How will you ensure that your devices and resources are interoperable?
What new practices must be learned?
- Shift the focus from the teachers to the students.
- Redesign the learning environment.
- Develop essential questions to guide the learning.
- Empower student learning with assessment.
- Emphasize the process – not just the product
- Focus on personal passions
- Encourage mobile learning.
- Redefine the teacher’s role in the classroom.
How do you build capacity?
- Develop a common language for technology use.
- Focuson the 4 Cs of Digital Age Learning.
- Design a personalized learning plan for teachers and school leaders.
How will you measure success?
- Standardized assessments have led to standardized classrooms.
- Design a learner profile that emphasizes more than just test scores.
- Develop the ecosystem necessary for digital age learning.
Additional Resources
BYOT Network 