BYOD

So here is the deal.  Schools are allowing kids to bring their electronics into the classroom.  Let me repeat that (can you tell what kind of teacher I am going to be?).  KIDS ARE ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO SCHOOL WITH THEM!  Okay, here is my opinion.  Seriously?  Don’t we think they are already distracted enough?  

This middle schoolers have so much on their minds, and we feel as though this will smooth it all over and make life easier on everyone.  SO with that said, each kid has their Ipad, Iphone, Nook, Kindle, and MacBook sitting out on their desk.  

The theory behind this is we should be using these devices as teaching tools and move towards the technology advancements that are happening around us.  With that said, let me give you the real scoop...in my opinion, of course.    

It points out who has money and who doesn’t.  It points out what kids are over privileged and which are lucky to have a pencil with them that day.  It is completely a status thing.  America has these kids so excessively spoiled, it is ridiculous.  

My specialty is English.  Kids are required to bring books to class everyday so that they can do SSR (sustained silent reading).  In my first period class there are 17 kids.  About 6 of them have books.  The others are reading on their Ipads, nooks, and phones.  Does this seem fair to you?  To me this seems to be a rule that applies to the rich only.  In other classes, the kids are free to use them to do research, type papers, and look up information...

Besides stating the obvious (pointing out who can afford the newest technology and who can’t), it also creeps up on another issue.

Some parents have made the decision that they don’t want their 12 years olds having free access to the internet.  WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!  The Chief and I JUST caved last year and bought the little man a cell phone and laptop.  Now, with that said, I want to make it clear that he isn’t allowed to take either to school, and both are taken away from him every evening at 8 pm.  AND, to top that off, if he is having ANY problems in school, he gets them taken away.  So basically, in the year the Little Man has had these...he has only actually had them in his possession for the two and a half months of summer :)  Yes, welcome to my world...  

We are very strict with things like access to the internet.  He can’t even get on his laptop without an adult in the room.  It is locked with a password, that he doesn’t know.  He isn’t allowed to take it to his room, IF he gets on it, it is in the same room as us, where we can see his screen at all times.  AND, imagine this...his phone doesn’t even HAVE internet access (did you know they even made phones like that anymore?)!  We are not one of these parents that give their children free reign to do as they please.  I don’t think we are the only parents out there like this.  If this is you too, then guess what?  The school is making a mockery of your decision as a parent. 

This whole thing rubs me the wrong way.  Now our kids come home and beg and plead even more because EVERY kid has one and brings it to class.  I can hear it now: MOOOMMMM, I am the ONLY kid that doesn’t have one!  I have to read a stupid book made of paper!!  I am the biggest dork ever!!  PLEASSSSSEEEEEEE buy me one!!  

How marvelous is that?  You can thank the school districts.  Let’s point out the kids that have all the money, and make it EVEN more obvious.  As if moms pulling up in Navigators isn’t enough.  Lets show all the kids, who can afford nice things, and who can’t.  Let’s call out the parents that have made the personal decision to hold off on cell phones and laptops.  

These kids DO NOT need to bring their cell phones to class.  They can read the good old paperback books, and they can use the school’s computer lab to do any work that requires internet.  I get that it is important to keep up with technology, but I think we are a few years too early on this one.