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BYOD

The BYOD Starting Line

by Diana Benner
written by Diana Benner

Has your school implemented BYOD, but you are thinking OMG? Don’t panic. It is possible to get the most from a BYOD environment without going crazy. Try these tips in your classroom.

  1. You are the leader in the classroom. Control the use of devices when you or anyone is addressing the class. Devices should be on the desk, screen down, knees toward me, lid closed. Allow devices only when the lesson requires them.
  1. Ask three before me. Encourage students to support each other since you’ll not be able to support all of the devices yourself.
  1. Keep your management plan in place. Create and enforce consistent consequences in your room for off-task behavior.
  1. Bring it out only when necessary. Not every lesson will require a device.
  1. You do not need to know how to use each device, but you should know what each can do. Students should all be able to use their own device, regardless of the lesson.
  1. Start small. It’s always wise to start with baby steps. Millions of apps and websites exist, and the volume of information and options can be overwhelming. Choose one or two to become comfortable with and to start with.
  1. Walk around. This helps encourage on-task behavior and lets you scan for students who need additional support.
  1. Always have a Plan B. Sometimes technology fails. Be sure there are other ways to support your lesson.
  1. Clearly communicate appropriate use. Before you let students use their devices when they finish work, make sure you specify what they may do with the devices (i.e.: read, play games, complete homework).
  1. Don’t give up. If your first BYOD lesson doesn’t go as planned, try and try again. Patience produces a great runner, so be happy with small gains and work your way up to leading the race.

Featured Image: Phone by Gábor Adonyi from Pixabay

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Announcements/Important Dates

How TCEA Began

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

It was the 1979 – 1980 school year, and across the state of Texas, a number of educators were interested in investigating, or already involved in, utilizing computers. Several of these educators decided they needed to take some instruction in programming (because you had to program everything you wanted to do on the computer at that time), so they enrolled in a night course at North Texas State University, taught by Dr. James L. Poirot.

Two of these educators, Vicki Smith and Diana Radspinner, stayed after class one night and initiated the conversation, “Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a way to share ideas and network information among the teachers in the state using or interested in technology?” Dr. Poirot responded that he would be willing to organize a meeting to discuss this if they were willing to do a “little” paperwork. The paperwork soon became an immense undertaking as these two educators from Dallas ISD mailed out fliers, sketched out a logo, and created an organizational name.

On May 3, 1980, an organizational meeting took place and was attended by 135 state educators. Those attending the meeting joined TCEA (dues were $10.00). By the end of May, the TCEA bank account had a balance of $982.50.

Then, on October 4, 1980, TCEA held its first official meeting at North Texas State University. A constitution was adopted and the first board of directors was elected. Following that, the first newsletter was published and the organization formally exhibited with its first official booth, table, and handouts at the National Education Computing Conference (now ISTE) in Denton in the summer of 1981. There were just five areas with one or two area directors representing each geographic section of the state at the time. The association hired a part-time executive director, Robert Knight, who worked out of his home in Lubbock for a long time.

As the organization grew, more changes followed:

    • 1983 – 1984: Separated the secretary and treasurer positions under President Sandy Pratscher
    • 1986 – 1987: Added a sixth area director position under President Jennabeth Bogard
    • 1999 – 2000: Purchased our first building and changed to 20 area directors under President Cheri Halderman
    • 2001 – 2002: Paid off building under President Lori Gracey
    • 2002 – 2003: Doubled the size of the convention center used under President Sherrilyn Phelps
    • 2004: Purchased a new, larger building under President Janice Trompler
    • 2010: Paid off building under President Candace Threadgill
    • 2014: Purchased a new, larger building with conference facilities under President Kari Rhame

 

TCEA has now grown from a very small group of dedicated Texas computer teachers to more than 16,500 educators around the world and recently celebrated its 35th birthday in May by giving away $20,000 in prizes to its members. We look forward to a very bright future working with you to innovate teaching and learning.

How long have you been a member? What’s your favorite memory of TCEA over the years? Please share your comments below.

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