BYOD SWOT analysis

The following blog post was written in response to a discussion prompt for my Technology in the Lives of Children and Youth course I am taking as part of the WISE consortium through the University of Pittsburgh this semester. We read the Horizon Report and were asked to perform a SWOT analysis of one of the new forthcoming trends in libraries. 

 I am enthused about the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative foretold by the Horizon Report as a new innovative movement in education with special implications for school library use. Imagine if students could use their mobile devices to scan a QR code which brings them to the library catalog or if students record podcasts as a product of a research project.

Strengths:

• Mobile devices have many apps that can be used for educational purposes including annotation tools, applications for creation and composition, and social networking tools. (Johnson, L., Adams, S., and Cummins, M.,2012)

• Most schools block unwanted sites such as social networking sites on their networks so students will not get distracted from their schoolwork. (Johnson, L., Adams, S., and Cummins, M.,2012)

• Research shows an increase in student test scores. (C. Atkeison, 2011)

Weaknesses:

• Students who do not own their own devices can only have access to school loaned devices during the school day. (C. Atkeison, 2011)

• Students who do not own devices may be bullied for not owning/ being able to afford personal mobile devices.

Opportunities:

• Apps used in conjunction with the curriculum can help students better understand complex material.  (Johnson, L., Adams, S., and Cummins, M.,2012)

• Students can share information across mobile networks.

Students can use educational technology such as Google Apps and other collaborative platforms to collaborate on projects in the classroom.

Threats:

• Students may find a way to bypass school firewalls.

• Students can still become distracted from educational activities while using their mobile device by getting online and using apps which may not be related to the educational task at hand.

• Parents are concerned that students' devices may be stolen at school. (C. Atkeison, 2011)

Atkeison, C. (2011-8 -11).CNN iReport: More American students use personal tech devices in the classroom. Retrieved from http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-650238

Johnson, L., Adams, S., and Cummins, M. (2012).

NMC Horizon Report: 2012 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

Elementary Practica

Last Wednesday I started my practica at Fairgrieve Elementary and I love it! I am truly inspired working with this age group. I am already developing lesson plans and book talks to give during my time at the school. Everyone keeps asking if my sponsor librarian and I are related because we're perpetuating a blonde hair, blue eyed, glasses-wearing kind of stereotype.
Some of the things I accomplished this week:

• helped librarian update Accelerated Reader bulletin boards
• designed poetry checklist for upper elementary poetry assignment
• worked with inclusion students finishing up creating and composing imagination cookie recipes for author Nancy Carlson's visit this coming Wednesday
• hung academic vocabulary in the library and computer lab

I also learned about a bunch of awesome resources including: Instant Poetry and Ribbon Hero (an add on game for Microsoft Word which awards students points for tasks including changing font color/ size, formatting paragraphs, etc.).

I am planning a few different lessons for this practica. I decided to focus on presenting nonfiction book talks to third and fourth grade students. Reading nonfiction texts is emphasized in the Common Core. I have found series books about history and science topics to present to third and fourth grade students. I also plan on reviewing with students how to search for books using the school's OPAC and review computer terminology such as hardware, software, input, and output. 

I am looking forward to what this week will bring!