Comment by Michelle Martin on September 17, 2011 at 6:29pm

Are there any educators who are using mobile devices, such as iPads, iPods, or other tablets in the classroom? How are they being used? Are they personalized for students, or are they checked out on a cart, or perhaps there is one placed in each classroom. I'd love to what other schools are doing.

Comment by Janelle Maurer on September 18, 2011 at 10:31pm

My school is a BOYD school where the iPad was compulsory for all students in years 5 - 9. A high percentage of students in years 10 - 12 also purchased them. In total this is about 750 student iPad users across the campus. As our school year started in January, we have has many successes with the device to date.

Comment by Michelle Martin on September 24, 2011 at 11:11am

Janelle, thank you for sharing. I think that is an interesting concept. I would love to know more!  How was the iPad funded for 5th-9th? What do teachers do for those students who do not have iPads or other mobile devices. What would you say the top 3 challenges have been?

Comment by Keith Fudge on September 29, 2011 at 7:15am

This year I am involved in a project with three school in our Western District, Newfoundland, Canada, where classroom iPads set will be purchased.  I look forward to some informative discussion in this group.

Comment by Janelle Maurer on September 29, 2011 at 4:13pm

Michelle, fortunately for the teachers this issue didn't arise as our Head of School made it compulsory for all students in years 5 - 9. Only a few parents decided to go against this decision and they purchased their daughter a laptop. To date this has not caused any concerns. One of the many benefits we have found, is that students always have their textbook (in ibooks) in class, but dealing with the publishers to get the price of the pdf's lower than the paper format has at times been challenging.

Comment by Michelle Martin on October 1, 2011 at 8:38am

I have created two discussions, which will be better than simply commenting on the wall.  This is the first group I've created, so I am learning the bells and whistles of it :)  I hope that you all will add discussion topics, too.

Comment by Tracy Miller on January 4, 2012 at 10:48am

Our school has facilitated a wireless network where students may bring their own mobile devices to school. Middle School has initiated a Connected Learning Community based on this BYOD environment. There needs to be a lot more PD before we can see personalized learning opportunities within classrooms though.

Comment by Sarah H. on March 3, 2012 at 12:08pm

At Defense Language Institute, we've integrated MP3 players into M105 (Listening Strategies), and I'm currently in charge of a 50-student MP3 player pilot study. Many of our students have the latest and greatest Nokias and international cell phones, and we issue laptops to students as well. I suppose we could be considered BYOD.

Comment by Joan Biese on March 5, 2012 at 11:04am

I am submitting a grant application this week which will place 10 iPads into my first grade classroom!  Wish me luck!  :)  I'll be relying on my ISTE group-friends for advice, of course, as always!

Comment by Carla Anderson on March 21, 2012 at 7:47pm

We are beginning to pilot iPads with our Secondary Students in our Developmentally Delayed Classes as well as with children with limited Communication output.
Let me know how it goes!
We are experiencing a lot of success!

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