Bring Your Own Device

A story I shot and edited with reporter Valeri Hurst, on a program in the Vancouver, Washington School District called "Bring Your Own Device". This program encourages students to use their cell phones, Ipads, and laptop computers to help research subjects for school. Teachers felt that instead of fighting cell phone use in school, why not use it as an advantage.... and it works!

>> Reporter: This sign on the wall, "No cell phones during class time," well, it's practically a

fossil at Skyview High School now.

The bring your own device program, or BYOD,
encourages students to use their cell phones

and other electronic devices in class.

>> Teacher: Are you guys able to get in? Okay, got it? Okay.

>> Here's something you don't see everyday: a teacher checking to make sure his students are

on the Internet. This--

>> You had no problem on the iPad, right?

>> -- is how Eric Silvie's teaching world history.

>> I had a chalkboard 24 years ago. Now I have a whiteboard that we don't use.

>> Instead, students bring their own smartphone, iPad, or laptop for online research.

If they don't have one, they share with another student.

Silvie says everything they need to know about the five religions of the world is at the touch or

swipe of their fingertips.

>> They're able to access more updated pictures, graphs, videos by using their device.

We're at week three now and I haven't cracked a textbook yet.

>> Silvie and fellow teacher John Selby tried BYOD as a pilot program last year. Now, any

high school teacher in the district who wants to try it it out can.

Check out this group in the class next door. Phones, laptops, and iPads. No books, no

handouts.

Senior Sterling Fletcher likes being able to use his own computer.

>> Student: It's going to be faster than the school computer. School computers take five to

ten minutes to start up anyway.

>> Reporter: He knows there some trust involved. Students can't go on Facebook or take

calls or texts.

>> Reporter: You think you're able to not be distracted think you're able to not be distracted

when you're using your computer?

>> Student: Usually.

>> Reporter: His teachers say it's worth the risk because Sterling and his classmates will use

these kinds of devices the rest of their lives.

>> Teacher: As they transition through high school and into college, it's gonna be the

standard.

>> Reporter: Valerie Hurst, KATU News.