Balancing Technology Use Through Equitable Access

Web 2.0 tools have revolutionized classroom instruction.  While many systems can readily make ever-emerging technology available to all students, the economic downturn has impacted the ability of many school districts to keep up with the "latest and greatest" tech gadgets for learning.  By launching BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) initiatives, which allow students to utilize their own electronic devices for classroom learning, school districts can focus their monetary resources on providing technology to be utilized by students who do not have access to their own electronic devices.  Jasper City Schools, in northwest Alabama, approximately 35 miles from Birmingham, recently installed wireless internet in several schools and launched their BYOD initiative.