Gone are the days when pulling a phone or tablet out in class was automatically scorned, at least at Milford High School anyway. The addition of wifi to the school has led teachers and administrators to encourage the tech savvy youth to use their devices for their academics.

“The technological devices are becoming like a TV set,” said Eric Dziobak, an MHS assistant principal. “Everyone has it.” The school’s goals are to get more people using their technology in the classroom to enhance the learning process.

This new approach is called B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Device) and more and more teachers are starting to take advantage of it this school year.

“You still need to be invited by a teacher to use it,” Dziobak clarified, “Just as you use a calculator in class, technology is to be used as a tool.”

An example of this already took place in the second week of school during the senior meeting when the counselors asked the students to get out their phones in order to take notes. Senior Kelsey Warren has already used technology that was incorporated into her AP Psychology class where they use the app Socrative to answer questions in class. “It’s an easier way for everyone to answer,”Warrenstated. Reminder 101 is also a new program being used this year, in which teachers are able to send a text to students reminding them of upcoming homework and tests. The teachers and students don’t have access to each others’ personal information through this, even though it involves their phones.

  “People are also more comfortable and used to their own devices,” stated Dziobak. The students bringing their own technology will also make it so students wouldn’t have to rely on the lab all the time and save the school money in paper and printing costs. 

Wifi is not the only new way the school will be emphasizing the incorporation of technology. The position of a technological integrator was added as well. Media Specialist and English teacher Derek Baad is one of the staff members taking on this position. Part of his job is to teach teachers and students about certain programs and help with various projects involving technology. Google Drive and other Google apps are common programs that he works with. Baad is also very excited about the new B.Y.O.D. policy.

“It helps if people bring in their own instead of getting new technology every three years and having it get old as soon as we get it,” he stated. “A lot of thought went into getting wifi. If it would’ve happened earlier it wouldn’t have been as well planned out.”

However, some might not think this policy is as outstanding as it sounds.

Technology costs money and there is always the question of whether or not students not financially able to acquire these types of technology will fall behind.

“That is always an issue at first,” explained Dziobak, “But just like anything as this becomes more common, prices will fall. The technology provided by the school will always be available.” The new programs can also be challenging for staff and students that aren’t tech wizards. “It’s kind of difficult to use Google Drive if you don’t know how teachers aren’t as good with technology also.” Another possible concern is if students will take advantage of this new policy.