One important step in the implementation of BYOD is ensuring access to the low income students or those who cannot afford to bring their own devices to class. It is essential to ensure equitable access to technology to all students to be able to fully exploit the benefits of technology. Following are some ways schools can secure funding for extending technology to the have-nots.

Business Refresh: Many companies regularly refresh their equipment. Contact local businesses to see if they would consider giving their old devices to students.

Going Online: Students could use tools like Craigslist, Twitter and Facebook to let people know they are in need of a device that someone might be throwing away. Not only will they likely get a good deal, many people will reduce their asking price if they know their old gadget is going to a good cause.

Community Mentors: When schools help facilitate relationships with mentors for their students, many can either provide or help with securing resources for learning.

Recycling School Technology: Schools could provide their old technology to students instead of looking at other ways of disposing of it.

Payment, Layaway and Leasing Options: Schools could provide various financial options for families looking for digital hardware for their children.

Fundraiser: Students could come up with unique fundraising ideas to raise both money and awareness for the school’s technology needs. They could hold a Tech Day where the community can come to the school and donate technology for children in need.

Guiding the Acquisition: Parents may be tempted to buy the cheapest devices. More often than not, the least expensive devices are designed for consumption, rather than creation. Schools can minimize this by guiding the families in their plans to acquire devices. Schools  could work with manufacturers to secure a group pricing that families can take advantage of.

Case Studies of schools which secured their own funding: Here is a list of schools which secured their own funding for BYOD using different approaches.

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References

http://www.k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/Funding_a_BYOD.pdf

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