Students in Houston County Put Their Electronics Devices to Use with New Initiative

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston County students are starting to use their electronic devices in classrooms as part of a new initiative.

There used to be a time when students couldn’t bring their cell phones to class or else they’d get in trouble.

Now some schools in Houston County are encouraging students to bring them, as a tool to help them learn.

Students in one Northside High School class are using their smart phones to research environmental science.

Some schools in Houston County are letting students bring their electronic devices inside of the classroom, with a new program called Bring Your Own Device, or B-Y-O-D.

Kids can use everything from smart phones, to tablets, and even laptops to get their work done.

Jamila Chambers is a senior and says having her iPod touch in her humanities class, helps when studying gets a little tough.

“You can get it from the internet right where you are sitting, you don’t have to go to the media center its right there at your fingertips,” Chambers said.

Administrators want the student experience at school to be one where they can work together and go beyond textbooks.

Both students and teachers agree that using their devices like an iPhone, are helping them connect with what they’re learning.

“It’s given me the ability to present information in a way that’s more relative to the kids, there not simply using the textbook, it’s more up to date in terms of how they’re used to getting information day to day from the Internet from their smart phones and devices,” Lori Zavetz, a teacher at Northside, said.

Teachers are starting to use iPads to set up digital lesson plans where their students can scan Q-R codes, and use forms of social media to interact as they solve problems.

Some parents have concerns, and worry about their child’s safety when they’re online. Northside’s principal Dr. Greg Peavy says he and his staff are working to make sure students stay on task.

“We’re redirecting them and saying you take that device, we’re going to use that in a lesson today, and it’s going to help you show and learn what we’re trying to accomplish,” Peavy said.

Northside is one of seven schools using the B-Y-O-D tool in the first semester.

More schools will pick up the program in the spring. By the beginning of next school year, all 38 Houston County schools will be using the program.