Using BYOD to Promote Student Responsibility
As an eighth grade teacher, a huge part of my job is to ensure that students are prepared for high school. Of course, I want to ensure they are adequately equipped with the mathematical prerequisites needed; however, to me, the most important part of high school preparation is the ability for a student to take personal responsibility for turning in quality assignments on time.
Through the use of BYOD in the classroom, I am able to give students 5 minutes of class time, several times a week to use their device to gain ownership of their academic success. Students are encouraged to check their grades on PowerSchool. Students can see how recent assignments effected their grades or assignments they have missing. This knowledge empowers to the student to take action, and gain personal responsibility and ownership of their grades. The emphasis is placed on the student being accountable for their assignments, not the teacher or their parent.
In addition, students can use this short time to look at class websites for upcoming due dates, assessment dates, and assignments. Students can use calendar tools and list apps to organize the tasks that need to be completed.
While I have enjoyed slowly exploring the wonderful tools and applications available to enhance mathematical instruction, I feel the most valuable use of BYOD in my classroom has been literally placing student knowledge of their grades in their own hands. Through a short amount of time on a hand-held device, students are able to be informed and make a plan on how to improve their grades. I believe it is important to teach the habit of checking PowerSchool and class websites on regular basis. This personal ownership, organization, and accountability will help students tremendously as they learn to juggle the new world of High School!
A. Beal
As an eighth grade teacher, a huge part of my job is to ensure that students are prepared for high school. Of course, I want to ensure they are adequately equipped with the mathematical prerequisites needed; however, to me, the most important part of high school preparation is the ability for a student to take personal responsibility for turning in quality assignments on time.
Through the use of BYOD in the classroom, I am able to give students 5 minutes of class time, several times a week to use their device to gain ownership of their academic success. Students are encouraged to check their grades on PowerSchool. Students can see how recent assignments effected their grades or assignments they have missing. This knowledge empowers to the student to take action, and gain personal responsibility and ownership of their grades. The emphasis is placed on the student being accountable for their assignments, not the teacher or their parent.
In addition, students can use this short time to look at class websites for upcoming due dates, assessment dates, and assignments. Students can use calendar tools and list apps to organize the tasks that need to be completed.
While I have enjoyed slowly exploring the wonderful tools and applications available to enhance mathematical instruction, I feel the most valuable use of BYOD in my classroom has been literally placing student knowledge of their grades in their own hands. Through a short amount of time on a hand-held device, students are able to be informed and make a plan on how to improve their grades. I believe it is important to teach the habit of checking PowerSchool and class websites on regular basis. This personal ownership, organization, and accountability will help students tremendously as they learn to juggle the new world of High School!
A. Beal