Technology Outside The Classroom

photo from creative commons

BYOT! Bringing your own Technology!

Students are bringing their own technology to classrooms; everyday tucked in their bags, lockers, coats and cars. The use of this technology is absolutely forbidden, and thought to provide no educational value therefore lacking a place in classrooms or curriculum.  Cell phones, iPods, tablets, iPads are not allowed within the brick and mortar, for these devices are merely a distraction from the learning that must take place.  However, we know the way in which students use these devices affects their learning in the classrooms. Students use technology outside the classroom daily which provides students with vast knowledge of technical concepts. Students bring this knowledge to the classroom, and understanding how youth use a variety of technologies outside the classroom can help us as educators to engage students within the classroom.  Jon Bergmann has a very interesting approach to how one teacher is challenging and engaging his students outside of the classroom by merging the classroom with the technologies students already enjoy to use.