Bring Your Own Device in Teaching
On this page you will find all information for lecturers on the topic of Bring Your Own Device in teaching. An overview of the mandatory Bring Your Own Device policy at ETH Zurich and further information on this topic can be found on the BYOD overview page.
The consistent implementation of BYOD opens up a wide range of opportunities to make learning more comprehensive, flexible and innovative. Digital technologies expand the didactic design options in teaching, support individualised learning and help promote innovation and scalability.
Digital learning and digital working
The introduction of the BYOD obligation opens up the possibility of using digital devices as an integral part of courses, tutorials, labs, practicals, excursions and other forms of teaching and learning. In addition, digital performance assessments are possible with BYOD or on ETH computers. The aim is for students to be able to use their laptops skilfully and appropriately in different work situations.
The integration of BYOD not only promotes the technical handling of devices, but also the development of technical expertise and the critical examination of digital content and innovations in particular. Students learn to adapt to different digital environments and to work efficiently with them.
Integration in teaching and learning
Advancing digitalisation means expanding the options for didactic action. Teaching can take up digital learning and working methods, promote interaction and enable personalised learning experiences. Thanks to BYOD, lecturers can increasingly consider the following aspects.
Students can use digital tools (e.g. Moodle, Jupyter notebooks, subject-specific software) directly in the classroom. In this way, teaching can be made more authentic regarding research or professional contexts, which can significantly increase the sustainability of the learning process.
With the help of formative feedback, students can independently review their learning progress. This enables discussion about learning in the course. The Edu App or the semester feedback can be used to obtain feedback on lessons to plan teaching according to learning progress.
Information on the use of BYOD in digital performance assessments can be found at BYOD in performance assessments. Digital examinations on ETH computers are also possible for session and end-of-semester examinations.
The Unit for Teaching and Learning offers specific support for didactic issues, including in the area of digital learning and digital working. The g.
Digital and computational competencies
The ETH Competence Framework describes the competencies that ETH Zurich aims to foster. In addition to the central specialised competencies, the grid is completed by interdisciplinary competencies in the method-specific, social and personal areas.
‘Digital and Computational Competencies’ can also be categorised within this framework. On the one hand, in the context of method-specific competences, where the qualified use of digital tools and self-confident and responsible use of these technologies is included in teaching. On the other hand, in the closely related context of subject specific competencies, where concrete skills in the field of computational thinking, such as handling algorithms, problem-solving or programming, are trained. Finally, many social competencies, such as teamwork, and personal competencies, such as critical thinking, are nowadays closely interrelated with the competent use of digital technologies.
Due to the gradual introduction of the mandatory BYOD policy for students starting a new degree programme from the autumn semester 2024, there will be cohorts in the upcoming years that are only partially or not yet subject to the policy. This must be factored into the course planning and discussed with students to find constructive solutions.
See RefreshTeaching (07.05.2024) Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Opportunities and Challenges for experience reports on BYOD in teaching and in performance assessments.
FAQ
The use of students' laptops is to be understood in the broadest sense: Student laptops can be used in courses, tutorials, labs, practicals, excursions and performance assessments. Due to the gradual introduction of the mandatory BYOD policy for new students, in the coming years, there will still be cohorts that are not subject to it.
Information on BYOD performance assessments can be found here: BYOD performance assessments.
ETH has negotiated special conditions with various software providers. Students can set up Microsoft 365 ) (incl. Office, Teams and other cloud services) free of charge and obtain certain other software free of charge from the IT-Shop under "Product Inventory".
It must be possible for students to carry out all compulsory courses, exercises and performance assessments with the recommended minimum configuration. Any additional capacities must be provided by lecturers.
Many lecture halls, seminar rooms, laboratories or work areas do not currently have enough sockets to supply all seats with electricity. We are working on a solution for equipping lecture halls with socket towers.
The minimum requirements for student devices stipulate that the battery life for standard applications, such as word processing and web browsing, must be at least seven hours.
Instructions on how to connect to the WLAN and further information about the WLAN can be found here.
The central coordination of the BYOD initiative is carried out by the BYOD advisory team consisting of employees from Educational IT Services (EduIT), Academic Services (AkD) and the Unit for Teaching and Learning (UTL). If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the e-mail address below directly.