Bring-Your-Own-Device: Turning Cell Phones into Forces for Good

Over the last few years, classroom response systems (or “clickers”) have become increasingly common. Although most systems require students to use a standalone handheld device, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) systems allow students to use devices they already own (e.g., a cell phone, tablet or laptop) to submit responses via text message or through a Web browser. In this article, the author discusses the benefits and costs specific to using a bring-your-own-device system and compares these systems to traditional handheld clickers. She particularly focuses on the issues associated with allowing the use of cell phones and laptops in the classroom and offers some advice based on her own experience with a bring-your-own-device system.