Pencils….check. Paper…check. Pens…check. Tablet…che-. Tablet? We actually need a tablet? That’s the question being asked in thousands of students’ homes today as schools are bringing in new ways of teaching that require some digital help.

This isn’t just happening across the nation, it’s happening right here in Arvada as well. In fact, Oberon Middle School has started a new BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) initiative that states, “For the 2014-2015 school year, students are required to have a personal technology device with a screen size of 7 inches or greater.” This is part of the school’s initiative to get students better prepared for a technological world and, according to their mission, “To instill a strong awareness of positive digital citizenship behaviors and ethics.”

During the first few weeks of the BYOD initiative, Ralston Valley staff members were given the opportunity to go visit Oberon and observe the effects the program had on the students. Mrs. Harwick and Mrs. Cawfield, English teachers here at RV, were able to go and observe the program in action as well as see the effects of the program through their own children. Ms. Jonson, the RV librarian, is also excited to see how this program can change the students. When asked how it went, Harwick responded, “Everyone was using different types of technology (Google Chrome books, Apple iPads, etc.) and I liked how the kids were still interacting with each other and the teacher.” Harwick added how the students weren’t acting like, “computer zombies” and the level of interaction in the classroom was still high. Jonson said, “It’s nice for students to be coming here to RV with technology already in their hands while also already having the knowledge behind it.”

The programs students are using include Schoology, Croc-A-Doc, and Google Docs which make turning in assignments simple and also bring in digital discussions. “One class started with bloggy Thursday about some of the class topics, which they would then share out loud,” added Harwick, and regarding the issue of too much technology, Harwick also noted that, “Technology would only be used for assignments and learning materials that could only be done by going digital.”

If the BYOD program is possibly on its way to Ralston Valley, both Harwick and Cawfield think it can be done successfully. Cawfield noted, “We just need to make the leap. Some students are used to using technology already and our school has planned for and already implemented the use of technology in the classrooms.”  Jonson also noted that, “The more types of devices students are exposed to, the better. I would like to get the students familiar with as many types of technology as possible.”

Technology is expanding at a rapid rate and it’s just a matter of time before it becomes second nature to the majority of students across the United States. Oberon’s BYOD initiative is the first step and whether RV is next or not, sooner or later a technological device will be clear and present on every student’s supply list.