1/24/18
Hello,
Today I will be going over the staff acceptable use policies and student technology contract at my school. I teach science at a 1:1 Chromebook school💻 . Every student has access to resources at school and at home. The
Student Technology Contract for my school is a google slideshow. The students will spend a 10th period (study hall period) going over the policy with their teachers. Once the contract has been discussed, each students signs a form that is also signed by their parents. They are not allowed to use their Chromebook at school until the contract is signed. We typically go over this during the first week of school. Parents and students also have access to it online over the summer and often turn it in with their registration packets.
The Student Technology Contract goes through many different topics and concerns, however the main theme is responsibility. As shown in the screenshots below, the students are responsible for protecting themselves, others, their property and the district. The contract goes through the importance of not sharing personal information and passwords.
The students and teachers discuss the importance of communicating responsibly. We try to teach them to avoid using their email for anything other than communicating with students and teachers. Our network is set up that the students cannot email outside of the school network. This prevents them from joining blogs and emailing lists, as well as emailing anyone outside of the district. For the most part this works well; but when it comes to contacting the outside word, it makes things difficult. There have been times when I want my students researching and reaching out to people within certain fields and they are unable to do that on our network. This also happens when we use apps that want to send emails of your work back to you and it cannot happen. I end up having the students put my email down and then forward them their work.
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The Student Technology Contract also talks about plagiarism and appropriateness online. The district network blocks all social media, even for staff, within the school. Once out side of the network, all all bets are off. The students are encouraged to be responsible while on social media even though the district does not have access to their phones 📱. We can tell if any phones are connected to the school wifi and we have access to everything on the Chromebooks at school and at home. When it comes to social media and cell phones, there is little we can monitor and control. That is why we need to teach respect and responsibility while online.
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The district also discuss protecting students, the network and devices. We have quite a few tech smart kids that can work their way about filters, firmware and other settings. I had a student one year that hacked into the admin files on the staff server and read my home address and cell phone number out to me in class. He was also so proud of what he had done that he bragged and told me about how he did it and there were some consequences. Some students need to learn to use their powers for good rather than evil. 🤣
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The District Staff Internet Guided-Use Policy is much older than the student contract which was last updated at the start of the 2017/18 school year. The staff policy was last updated in 2010. The staff policy directs district employees to follow similar rules as the students. We are asked to be responsible, respectful and keep personal information of our selfs and students safe.
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Something I also found interesting is the wording used for teaching students about the internet. Teachers use the internet with students on a "guided-use" bases. Which means any use of the internet, apps, games, and so on.. are in direct relation to teacher directed activities. The last statement on the screenshot below really stands out to me as well. "No students shall be left unattended while using technology." Although students are hardly ever left in a room along, they are frequently in a space where each Chromebook screen cannot be monitored. Take study hall time or early bird meetings in the library. The supervising adult will keep an eye on the students, but could have no idea what they are doing online. While students are in the classes, they are monitored through the Go Guardian app. This allows the teacher to see the live screens and all open tabs of each student. It is helpful, but most teachers don't stand at their computer watching the student's screens while they teach.
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A final point I wanted to share is about the Guidelines for Web Site Construction. The image below only shows some of the requirements. This list is helpful for all teachers creating any type of online media platform. Teachers must be careful and respectful of student images and work. Teachers need to be aware of plagiarism and copyright laws. This part of the policy is pretty straightforward and easy to understand. Overall I agree that the district policy covers all basis for keeping the staff and students safe online.
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I like the user friendly language and illustrations you included. I think the student contract is also essential when providing opportunities to use technology and more so engage with others through social media.
ReplyDeleteGreat work on your blog post! I think it is so important for schools to review their technology and social media policies with both teachers and students so that the school internet platforms remain free of online bullying or hacked systems. I have heard about students who have hacked school networks in order to watch inappropriate content. How scary for a student to be able to share your home address and other personal information out loud to the class. Who knows what could happen if the wrong student gets their hands on that information.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done, Theresa. Reflective post. I find the Website Construction policy fascinating! I haven't seen anything like this before so I appreciate that you included it. You mention that all social media sites are blocked, even for staff. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it puts the district behind in any way?
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that your school requires each student to go over the Google Slideshow with a teacher before signing the handbook contract and being able to use their technology. My school also has a policy, but as long as the students "read" the handbook and sign the contract, they are considered good to use Internet. I think it's more beneficial to actually go through the guidelines with them, because let's be honest, how many students actually "read" the handbook and know what they are consenting to. Thanks for sharing that idea!
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI love that you write the expectations in I Can statements for the students. I feel like they understand it better when put it in that context. I also like how you take the time to go over the rules in school. We always send home the expectations for parent signature but never take the time to thoroughly go through what is expected.