<P> The nature of the BYOD policy is that it favors implementation in higher socioeconomic areas and privileges those who already have better knowledge of technology . It is no wonder that most of the research done on the integration of cell phone and technology in the classroom has involved mostly higher socioeconomic schools . High income areas can count on families to provide what other families wish they could afford . Relying on students' outside purchases to cut costs inside of the school opens up the playing field for capitalist ventures, which can be expected in American society . Technology businesses have used the BYOD policy as leverage to market their technologies to parents of students (citation). This blurs the lines between the right to have a free education and turning education into a commodity which some can access and some cannot--as is true for other commodities . Additionally, the fact that these companies use studies done on BYOD schools is problematic . For instance, the company K - 12 Technology Blueprint Learning advertises their tablets for educational purposes on their website . They state three claims about personal technology in the classroom: "3 out of 4 students prefer tablets over textbooks, 2 / 3 of students prefer their own mobile device for learning, 37% of teachers will transition to digital textbooks within 1 to 5 years" (Harris Interactive, 2012). Attempting to gain credibility, the company posts large captions with numbers and percentages . They report that their figures were found in the Pearson Foundation Tablet Survey Summary . This particular summary is flawed for multiple reasons . The survey was administered online, which indicates that those taking the survey already had access (not provided by a school district) to a smartphone, tablet, or computer (Harris Interactive, 2012). Furthermore, the survey was only given to college - bound seniors and college students (citation). Because of this, the study's findings cannot be used to determine its effectiveness across all K - 12 students as the company claims . </P> <P> This is not the only study that is at fault . Most of the studies that have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of technology in the classroom have used higher socioeconomic populations as their participants . The reason for this is that those are the schools that have already adopted widespread use of technology in the classroom . Some claim that using social media in the classroom is highly motivating for the students . Again, these studies are conducted on those who are already highly motivated . Also, Latino students and low - income students are underrepresented in these programs according to study done on Latino attitudes toward social networking for education (Howard et al., 2015). Although this information can be useful to assess that specific population, the findings cannot be generalized to those of lower socioeconomic status . </P> <P> Howard, Curwen, Howard, and Colon - Muniz (2015) further evidence this in their studies about the social networking habits of underperforming Latino students . The researchers clearly stated that they have found that low - income Latino students use technology differently than middle class white students and they hold educators responsible for making sure that these differences do not manifest negatively . Won, Evans, Carey, and Schnitka (2015) have found that poorer families spend considerably more of their Internet access time to play games, watch videos, and connect on social networking sites . This is because they are not being taught how to use technology in more productive ways (Won et al., 2015). Whereas schools benefitting from BYOD policies teach students transferable skills such as learning how to create spreadsheets and access lessons that cater to their specific learning types, non-BYOD schools have to overlook the need for technological advancement . If only higher achieving schools are teaching students how to learn computer and technology skills, BYOD has the potential to worsen the U.S. Digital Divide which has plagued our nation since computers first went into the market (Howard et al., 2015). Schools that cannot afford to pay for the extra tablets will not learn more advanced ways of using technology . </P> <P> Social media can allow students to access a variety of knowledgeable peers, parents, community members, children's literature authors, academics and other people who might not otherwise be available . </P>

Discuss the use of social media in education