BYOD Implementation Plan for 4th Grade Social Studies

By: Keata Lawrence Anderson

Link to Houston County School Districts BYOD Policy: http://www.hcbe.net/?DivisionID=15761&DepartmentID=16985&ToggleSideNav=ShowAll

Teaching and learning are essential to education, however the context has changed over time. We are living in the era of technology. We have moved away from learning from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and much more. Now most information can be found online. Many school districts are aware of this change and have implemented policies to assist educators and students with 21 st century learning. My current school system uses Microsoft hardware; therefore, to optimize student use I will use Windows as my platform. As an educator I also have to evolve by implementing a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) plan for my own classroom.

As an educator of more than 10 years and a parent I am aware that all students do not have access to devices. Whether it is financial or parents simply do not want their children to have access to devices. I would make sure to accommodate for all of my students. To accommodate for all students’ BYOD would not be every day in my class. I would plan for BYOD on certain days and either schedule computer lab or arrange for student laptop check out on those days. This is to ensure that every child has access to a device.

Students will work on devices either with a partner or in a group to complete research projects not individually. For example, students will work with a partner or in a group to research Native American tribes for a living wax museum project. This project consists of multiple parts, which means that students will learn to share responsibilities and devices. One person can do research on the device while the others work on different aspects of the project. Students can also all choose to research at the same time in the computer lab or using a student laptop. This ensures that everyone has access to a device and no one feels left out.

Appropriate Apps for 4 th Grade Social Studies

1. Title: American History BooksPublisher: iMarvelAvailable For: AndroidCost: Free version includes one book, $.99 version includes fourReview: This app is intended to impart children knowledge of the culture and history of America. The app presents to them the profiles of heroes who built this "land of the free and home of the brave." It narrates to children the great story of how America became a free country. Also, the app introduces children to monuments in America of historical and patriotic significance.Submitted By: Sam Young, Hamilton City Schools

2. Title: Fact BookPublisher: Urbian, IncAvailable For: AndroidCost: FreeReview: Great app that can be used to put the entire world into your fingertips. There is a lot of information to be presented through this application such as geography, population, government, and military. This is a great resource to use when comparing countries from certain statistical categories. It shows updated rankings such as GDP. This app will even display graphs that can be used to compare how countries stack up against each other. Submitted By: Sam Young, Hamilton City SchoolsReview: A mobile version of the CIA World Fact Book, offering users quick and easy access to CIA World Fact Book and United Nations data and statistics that covers a wide range of statistics. Students researching a foreign country will have simple and fast access to an incredible amount of important information. Great for students doing a project on a foreign country or introducing

a new country in class. Submitted By: Josh Margerum, Hamilton City Schools

3. Title: Google EarthPublisher: GoogleAvailable For: iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone, AndroidCost: FreeReview: Wish you could take students on a field trip to see historical places? Don't have the money? Well, Google Earth could be the answer for you and your students. Google Earth will take you on a virtual field trip to any location on earth. This is a great app for social studies and science class but can be used in all subject areas. Are you learning about the pyramids? Take your students to see the pyramids. Want to visit the birthplace of a famous writer? The possibilities are endless.Submitted By: Jonathan Smith, Canton City Schools

4. Title: Quiz US StatesPublisher: Nicolas CornetteAvailable For: AndroidCost: FreeReview: Good review app for the use of U.S. state capitals. Includes four game modes: find state code, find state on map, find state name from its flag, or find state capital. Submitted By: Sam Young, Hamilton City Schools

5. Title: Today in HistoryPublisher: Manuel Zamora Available For: iPad, iPhone, iTouch, AndroidCost: Lite version free, Full version $1.99Review: Very cool app! The depth of information is great. It gives you famous events for years upon years as well as famous births, deaths, and holiday/observances. We use this daily for history class to construct our "This Day in History" board and the kids love the information that we are able to pull off of here. Submitted By: Tyler Belew, Hamilton City SchoolsReview: This app is a great way to begin any social studies or history class. As soon as you open the app, you are shown multiple historical events that happened on that day. Submitted By: Josh Margerum, Hamilton City Schools

6. Title: US ConstitutionPublisher: Android Development ProjectAvailable For: AndroidCost: FreeReview: This app features the full, unedited version of the US Constitution. It includes the ability to search ratification dates, biographies of the signers, a Constitution timeline, the Declaration of Independence, Mayflower Compact, failed amendments, and much much more! Students can quickly and easily locate important information from the Constitution, like the powers of Congress. Allows for quick research on the Framers as well as the roots of our government. Students could use the app to begin a project that examines the Bill of Rights as well.Submitted By: Josh Margerum, Hamilton City Schools