Examples of Instructional Activities That Can Be Enhanced by Using BYOT Devices in the Classroom
Literacy
Writing
Math
Science
Social Studies
General
This is just a small sampling of how BYOT devices can enhance our classroom learning environments. Beyond all of these examples, as teachers and students begin using BYOT devices in the classroom, they will discover many more uses and teachable moments that these devices will allow them to have with their students.
Literacy
- When students are reading/discussing novels in small groups a BYOT device can be used to monitor and record the discussion for the teacher to review later.
- When students are doing independent reading a BYOT device can be used to look up the definitions of unknown or unfamiliar words.
- Students use Kidsblog or Gaggle Blog on their devices to reflect on their reading and share with other students reading the same novel. They also respond to each other's blogs to get discussions going among all the grade level classes. Personal technology devices allow for a level of reflection and sharing among students that was not possible when they were simply writing down reflections in their personal notebooks.
- 3rd graders used their BYOT devices for a study of myths, folktales and fables. Reading them from websites on the Internet with color pictures was more interesting for students than reading them black and white paper copies of the stories.
- Students use their devices to read and listen to books.
- Any kind of research related to novel studies can be done using BYOT devices.
- Students are using Gaggle Discussion Boards on their devices to discuss topics in their novel study groups.
- Students are using Animoto on their devices to produce movie trailers of their fantasy writing pieces and also book trailers.
Writing
- Devices are being used for writing as many students prefer to type their writing on their personal technology devices than to write them by hand in notebooks (this is also a great way for our school to work toward "going green" and using less paper.
- Students use their devices in writing to type their rough drafts. Notes can be typed on devices and then emailed to teachers through Gaggle.
- BYOT devices can be used to research for informational/expository writing assignments.
Math
- Apps such as Educreations and ShowMe allow students to create segments that teach a math strategy to demonstrate their mastery of that strategy. They can share their strategies with other students. They are also able to share them with their parents at home to show what they are learning in class.
- BYOT devices provide access to technology so whole classes can be working on technology-based math activities. Prior to BYOT students would have to be staggered to use the limited technology in each classroom.
- Calculate distance using a map application such as Google maps.
- Students are using their devices as scratch pads and calculators when working through math problems.
Science
- 5th grade classes use their BYOT devices to track weather daily. Each student is able to have different cities to keep track of over a period of time. The data gathered is shared and also used in math class.
- 4th and 5th grade students completed a scavenger hunt to various science websites to get exposure to a variety of topics they might use as a science fair project. Those with scanner apps used QR codes and those without scanner apps accessed the website through links posted on the teacher’s classroom wiki.
- The Starwalk app can have students locate constellations. Maybe you could invite parents to come on a walk with their students to see what they can find.
- 5th graders used their BYOT for individualized review (and even some educational play time) as part of the review for their Properties of Matter / Heat Transfer assessment review.
- Researching various scientists and/or science concepts.
- BYOT devices that have camera/video capability can capture experiments using video tool and capture images from the environment using a camera tool.
- Students are using their devices for notetaking in both science and social studies.
Social Studies
- A unit on citizenship can be split amongthe classes on the grade level. Each class researched and became experts on their topic, then made an iMovie to share the information with the other classes.
- Researching famous people in history.
- BYOT devices that have a camera can capture images of landmarks.
General
- All types of BYOT devices can be turned into student response systems using websites like Mentimeter. Through this application teachers can get immediate feedback about students’ understanding of a topic or concept.
- Another great website accessible from all types of devices is todaysmeet.com. This website allows the teacher to set up a discussion room that students can submit questions and comments to during a class discussion, lesson or during independent work on a particular topic.
- Students can use Evernote to organize all their schoolwork and begin to keep a digital portfolio that can follow them throughout their school years.
- Students can use their BYOT devices to help them stay organized by recording homework and school events using a calendar tool.
- Teachers are using Gaggle to send assignments to their students. Students then access Gaggle through their personal technology devices.
Examples of Instructional Activities That Can Be Enhanced by Using BYOT Devices in the Classroom
Literacy
- When students are reading/discussing novels in small groups a BYOT device can be used to monitor and record the discussion for the teacher to review later.
- When students are doing independent reading a BYOT device can be used to look up the definitions of unknown or unfamiliar words.
- During a nonfiction study session, students can use their devices to find nonfiction pieces that are of interest to them and use those to interact with the text.
- In 5th grade students were reading the book Teachers Funeral which takes place in a one-room schoolhouse. Teachers created QR codes that students scanned which took them to websites containing information about one-room schoolhouses. Links could also be made for the websites for students whose devices don't have the capability to scan QR codes. During another novel study students were reading View from Saturday. They used their devices to complete a scavenger hunt before they began reading that gave them background information that was important for helping them understand the book. Throughout the novel studies teachers created QR codes that led students to information discussed in the book to further enhance their understanding. BYOT devices made internet access possible for more students at one time so these activities could be integrated into the novel study time.
- Students use Kidsblog or Gaggle Blog on their devices to reflect on their reading and share with other students reading the same novel. They also respond to each other's blogs to get discussions going among all the grade level classes. Personal technology devices allow for a level of reflection and sharing among students that was not possible when they were simply writing down reflections in their personal notebooks.
- 3rd graders used their BYOT devices for a study of myths, folktales and fables. Reading them from websites on the Internet with color pictures was more interesting for students than reading them black and white paper copies of the stories.
- Students use their devices to read and listen to books.
- Students can access a mobile version of Study Island to practice reading selections and questions on their BYOT devices.
- Any kind of research related to novel studies can be done using BYOT devices.
- Students are using Gaggle Discussion Boards on their devices to discuss topics in their novel study groups.
- Students are using their devices for Raz-Kids and Reading A-Z.
- Students are using Animoto on their devices to produce movie trailers of their fantasy writing pieces and also book trailers.
Writing
- Devices are being used for writing as many students prefer to type their writing on their personal technology devices than to write them by hand in notebooks (this is also a great way for our school to work toward "going green" and using less paper.
- Students use their devices in writing to type their rough drafts. Notes can be typed on devices and then emailed to teachers through Gaggle.
- BYOT devices can be used to research for informational/expository writing assignments.
Math
- Apps such as Educreations allow students to create segments that teach a math strategy to demonstrate their mastery of that strategy. They can share their strategies with other students. They are also able to share them with their parents at home to show what they are learning in class.
- Teachers use the BYOT devices or their own iPads to create a station during math workshop time. Students can use QR codes or website links to access math problems to solve.
- Students can access a mobile version of Study Island to practice math problems on their BYOT devices.
- BYOT devices provide access to technology so whole classes can be working on technology-based math activities. Prior to BYOT students would have to be staggered to use the limited technology in each classroom.
- Calculate distance using a map application such as Google maps.
- Researching math concepts.
- Students are using their devices as scratch pads and calculators when working through math problems.
Science
- 5th grade classes use their BYOT devices to track weather daily. Each student is able to have different cities to keep track of over a period of time. The data gathered is shared and also used in math class.
- Assignments can be created using video clips and other resources in Discovery Education or Gaggle Tube. Then students can use their BYOT devices to sign into their Discovery Education or Gaggle accounts and complete the assignments. This would not have been possible before with the limited technology in the classroom. Students worked in groups to complete the assignments.
- 4th and 5th grade students completed a scavenger hunt to various science websites to get exposure to a variety of topics they might use as a science fair project. Those with scanner apps used QR codes and those without scanner apps accessed the website through links posted on the teacher’s classroom wiki.
- Mrs. Donohoe's 3rd grade class invited parents to come to recess with their mobile devices loaded with the StarWalk app to locate constellations and satellites in the sky. There were six parents (moms & dads) each with a few kids exploring the sky. The students were eager and engaged yelling "I found Orion...there's Leo the Lion...look a satellite..." all over the playground field.
- 5th graders used their BYOT for individualized review (and even some educational play time) as part of the review for their Properties of Matter / Heat Transfer assessment review.
- Researching various scientists and/or science concepts.
- BYOT devices that have camera/video capability can capture experiments using video tool and capture images from the environment using a camera tool.
- Students are using their devices for notetaking in both science and social studies.
Social Studies
- 3rd grade classes took a unit on citizenship and split the content among the classes on the grade level. Each class researched and became experts on their topic, then made an iMovie to share the information with the other classes.
- Researching famous people in history.
- BYOT devices that have a camera can capture images of landmarks.
General
- All types of BYOT devices can be turned into student response systems using websites like Mentimeter. Through this application teachers can get immediate feedback about students’ understanding of a topic or concept.
- Another great website accessible from all types of devices is todaysmeet.com. This website allows the teacher to set up a discussion room that students can submit questions and comments to during a class discussion, lesson or during independent work on a particular topic.
- Students can use Evernote to organize all their schoolwork and begin to keep a digital portfolio that can follow them throughout their school years.
- Students can use their BYOT devices to help them stay organized by recording homework and school events using a calendar tool.
- Students are using their BYOT devices to access Khan Academy videos which have been created by teachers across the country. These videos are used to introduce and reinforce concepts being learned in the classroom.
- Teachers are using Gaggle to send assignments to their students. Students then access Gaggle through their personal technology devices.
- Video Conference to Connect With Guest Speakers or Pen Pals
Students could use a laptop, smart phone or tablet to video conference with classroom guest speakers or pen pals across the country or globe
This is just a small sampling of how BYOT devices can enhance our classroom learning environments. Beyond all of these examples, as teachers and students begin using BYOT devices in the classroom, they will discover many more uses and teachable moments that these devices will allow them to have with their students.