Havre may allow students to use mobile devices on classwork

Havre Public Schools may soon have a policy officials are calling BYOD — Bring Your Own Device.

Students will be able to bring their own mobile computer devices on classwork.

Jackie Rygg, the district’s instructional technology specialist, said most students would appreciate the change in policy.

Lots of hurdles have to be cleared before the change can take place, school officials said, but they are confident things can be worked out.

The district has purchased iPads for instructional purposes, and the school has made great progress in using the iPads in classes, School Superintendent Andy Carlson said.

At the last Havre school board meeting, member Theresa Miller presented a report her daughter, a fourth-grader, had prepared on the family’s recent trip to Disney World, complete with photos texts and graphics.

School board members sheepishly marveled at the report, admitting they wouldn’t know where to start in undertaking such a project.

But Carlson said that is the kind of work students can prepare if they have the proper equipment.

Carlson said students could use a variety of mobile devices, but he suspects most would like to use their smartphones.

Rygg said most students could purchase the aps needed for their classwork for $15 or less.

Carlson said Havre is ahead of most Montana school districts in moving into the digital age, but some are leading the way.

“We will talk to them and see what went right and what problems they had,” he said.

Personal use of mobile devices on school property would still be prohibited, he said.