The initiative aims to enhance students' digital literacy by implementing a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) class culture. Through structured short, medium, and long-term outcomes, the program seeks to engage students more effectively in their studies, leveraging their familiarity with personal devices.
Classroom with instructor computer connected to a projector
Smart phones, tablets, laptops with camera/recording capabilities
Access to wifi
Participants
Writing Tutors (for help with finding credible information online)
IT
Students
Instructor
Activities
Group project
Use device to create media (take pictures, create a video)
Use collaborative, communication technology outside of class such as GroupMe
In-class website evaluation during each class meeting
In-class demonstrations for specific programs
In-class demonstrations for finding credible information
3 hour mLearning teaching strategies workshop
Remediation
Students needing additional support with finding credible information can also see a writing tutor
Students needing additional credit can follow the instructor on Twitter and earn points for answering questions relevant to course discussions
Students needing additional support with any area can meet with the instructor once or twice a week for guidance
In-class research activity each class meeting
Search for theories such as "Invariant Right"
Search for terms such as "bias"
Research essay
In-class collaborative writing four times over duration of course
Regular attendance (twice a week for 16 weeks)
Assumptions: Students are more focused on their devices in class rather than the instructor, and students are lacking in digital literacy skills. Digital literacy is an important skill for continued success after college.
Long Term
Graduates have an awareness of their online social presence
Graduates have some basic media skills
Graduates can collaborate with co-workers effectively face-to-face and remotely
Graduates have a basic knowledge for how to use a smartphone and a computer (possibly a tablet)
College graduates can find relevant, credible information online
Medium Term
Students are able to write essays that utilize credible information from the web
Students use tools for collaborative communication in later courses or for personal projects
In subsequent courses, students use their devices to create media for presentations
Students are able to find credible resources on topics in other courses
Short Term
After 16 weeks, students have a more positive attitude towards using a device for learning in and out of class
After 16 weeks, students demonstrate knowledge of how to utilize a device to find credible, pertinent information evident in in-class discussions and research essay
After 8 weeks, students are more likely to use a device in class to find information pertinent to class than for some other purpose
After 8 weeks, students demonstrate knowledge of how to utilize a device to create media for a presentation evident in group presentation
Outcomes
Outputs
Inputs
Objective: Implement a BYOD class culture to improve students' digital literacy skills and keep them engaged in class