BYOT - Bring Your Own Technology

The National Educational Technology Plan 2010 lists “supporting efforts to ensure that all students and educators have 24/7 access to the Internet via devices, including mobile devices, and schools adopt technologies and policies to enable leveraging the technology that students already have.”
 
Pasadena ISD is piloting a student Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) policy at Pasadena Memorial High School wherein students may bring their own mobile technology to school (including cell phones, iPads, Android Tablets, laptops, iPod Touches, Kindles, Nooks, etc.) to be used as an instructional tool in the classroom.  By allowing students to use their own devices, we believe that students and teachers can maximize their instructional experience by utilizing devices and applications with which they are already familiar.
 
 

More About BYOT in Pasadena ISD:

Technology is one way of enhancing the district’s mission of teaching students to be productive, college- and career-ready members of the 21st century. In order to increase the use of technology in the classroom, Pasadena ISD is implementing a BYOT program (Bring Your Own Technology). We want students to embrace appropriate use of technology so they may become responsible digital citizens.

Definition of BYOT

Bring Your Own Technology allows students to bring and use their own personal technology devices to connect to the district wireless network and Internet for use during classroom activities.  For the purpose of this program, the word “technology” will include: Wi-Fi enabled devices including but not limited to cell phones, iPads, iPod Touches, laptops, e-readers and Android tablets.

Internet Access and Use

The district will provide secure and filtered access to the internet through the district wireless network. Usage of the district wireless network account is encouraged. The district is not liable for content that is accessed or charges that may be incurred if students choose to use his/her personal data plan to access the internet.

BYOT Student Agreement

The use of technology to access educational material is a privilege. When abused, privileges will be taken away. When respected, they benefit the learning environment as a whole. Students and parents/guardians participating in the BYOT program must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as all Board policies, particularly the Student Responsible Use agreement. Additionally, all mobile devices:

  • Must be in silent mode while on school campuses and while riding school buses.
  • Students are not allowed to use any device to photograph or record (either in audio or video format) another person on school property at any time without that person’s permission.
  • Devices may not be used to for any purpose that promotes academic dishonest.
  • Students will not participate in behavior with their personal device on or off campus that “materially or substantially interferes with school operations” and/or there’s a “substantial disruption to the educational process”. 

Students and Parents/Guardians acknowledge that:

  • The school's network web filter will be applied to a device’s connection to the internet and any attempt to bypass the network filters is prohibited.
  • Students are prohibited from processing or accessing information by “hacking”, altering, or bypassing Pasadena ISD network security policies.
  • The district has the right to collect and examine any device if a student is suspected of violating the BYOT guidelines.
  • Technology is expected to run off its own battery while at school.
  • The district is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged personal technological devices.
  • The district is not responsible for maintenance or repair of any personal technology.
  • The district is not responsible for any costs incurred due to use of personal technology.
  • Printing from personal devices will not be supported at school.
  • Each teacher has the discretion to allow and regulate the use of personal devices in the classroom and on specific projects.