Arlington students may get to take technology to class

By Shirley Jinkins

syjinkins@star-telegram.com

ARLINGTON -- Students at Arlington district schools could be cleared to take their own mobile devices to class as early as next semester if school trustees approve a new voluntary Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) program at tonight's board meeting.

Laptops, netbooks, tablets, iPads, iPod Touch devices, smartphones and e-readers would all be allowed for educational purposes under the program.

High school, junior high and even elementary students would be allowed to bring devices.

Here's how BYOT would work:

Individual teachers would grant permission for the devices to be used in their classes.

Students would have to register their devices and log on to use the district's wireless network connection when on campus.

No student would be required to bring a personally-owned device to school.

Teachers could confiscate any technology device, including a cellphone, that is used for noneducational purposes during class or any device that is causing a disruption.

Elementary and junior high students could not use devices for noninstructional purposes during the school day, and high school students could use them for personal purposes only at lunch, and before and after school.

Teachers would grant permission in advance for students to record, photograph or publish images or information.

The district would not be responsible for lost, misplaced or stolen items, or for troubleshooting individual devices for students.

The BYOT plan was initially greeted with some skepticism.

When the school board talked about the policy last month, trustee John Hibbs supported the policy only for high school students, and expressed qualms about pressuring parents to furnish devices for their children.

"I don't want parents to feel they have to have these things," he said.

The discussion focused on a hypothetical classroom where 98 percent of the students might have devices and 2 percent might not.

"There are certain schools in our district that are more affluent than others," said Hibbs. "Other sectors don't have those same opportunities, and they will not have that same learning environment."

Officials said that would not be an issue.

"We have a lot of technology in the schools," said Steven Harvey, assistant superintendent of technology. "We're not expecting every kid to have it [personal technology]. Teachers could also group students to use devices. The intent is not to create an inequity there.''

Some trustees also questioned the use of personal devices in elementary classrooms, but educators seemed to applaud it.

"I taught on the elementary level," said Sue McGahee, director of instructional technology. "I'd be one of those elementary teachers chomping at the bit for it. I'd be thrilled to put this in the classroom."

Under the draft policy to be voted on tonight, students would not have access to district e-mail, but it remains undecided if they should be able to access Facebook and Twitter.

"Why are we afraid of Facebook and Twitter," asked Tony Pompa. "The district uses Facebook and Twitter to communicate with the community."

If the measure passes, all schools should be on board with BYOT by March 29, 2013. Some may allow it earlier if teachers and staff members have had introductory training, and network software has been updated.

Shirley Jinkins, 817-390-7657

Twitter: @startelegram

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