Bring Your Own Device Program to Launch with Summer Classes

Beginning in the Summer 2020 semester, Hocking College will implement a Bring Your Own Device program for its classes.

The program is designed to make better use of mobile technology.

“This will allow students to use devices they are more comfortable with,” Dr. Steven Wilson, chief information officer for Hocking College, said.

Wilson said students will use the devices in classrooms to take notes, work on papers and assignments, conduct research, stream presentations and provide opportunities for collaboration between students and instructors. Students will be required to take their device to all of their classes.

Students finishing Spring 2020 courses in the summer are not required to bring a device to class. However, students enrolled in Summer 2020 or Autumn 2020 courses will need to bring them.

With students providing their own devices, Wilson said the money that would usually go toward purchasing computers for static labs could be spent on upgrades to the college’s mobile infrastructure.

The long-term plan is to remove many computer labs from the campus, but Wilson said that wouldn’t happen right away.

“We want to make sure the BYOD program is running effectively before we start removing labs,” Wilson said.

Some specialty computer labs will remain on campus, and additional hookups for charging devices and displays for wireless presentations will be installed. The first charging station is already running in the college library. Wilson said more would be installed in common areas across the campus.

Acceptable devices could be a laptop computer or a tablet with a keyboard. The device must have a USB port, video camera, keyboard and the ability to run writing software. Microsoft Office 365 is available for free to all students.

Laptops that meet the requirements will be available for purchase on campus, and sessions will be available during Start Week to help students install Microsoft Office 365, connect to their Hocking College email and load optional security tracking software.

“The use of technology is ubiquitous in the workforce,” Wilson said. “So too must our use for delivering academic content.”