Smart Technology Policy for Districts

Dennis Small, Director of Educational Technology,OSPI

WSSDA Conference

November 22, 2013

The concept for an electronic resources policy is this simple.

Expectations for student and staff behavior online are no different than face-to-face interactions.

Let’s Take a Closer Look at the Points That Make Smart Network Policy for Districts

Network Use Agreement

Agreement should detail… Correct and incorrect use of the

district network and its peripherals

Consequences if a student or staff member breaches the agreement

Every student and staff member must sign a network use agreement.

Filtering

The big idea here…Prevent the view and download of obscene, racist, hateful or violent content.

Filtering software is mandatory.

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires that educational organizations block all child pornography and obscene visual depictions. Local determination governs the restrictions on other potentially objectionable material.

Filtering software complies with federal law.

Internet Safety

You must teach Internet safety to staff, kids and families.

Provide educational content related to Internet safety for use across grade levelsProvide training for staff and families.

Cyber bullying — awareness and response Safe activity on social media sites and chat rooms Why staff and students must not divulge personal

information about themselves — and others — over the web

Who to notify should they encounter dangerous or inappropriate content or messages in any online environment

Personal Use

a. They get permissionb. The device is equipped with up-to-

date virus software and a compatible, properly configured network card.

Students and staff can connect their own devices IF…

District has the authority to confiscate any unauthorized devices and take disciplinary action.

Supervision & Monitoring

Every staff member who supervises/observes students or is responsible for computing equipment must make a reasonable effort to monitor online activity.

Which means staff must make a reasonable effort to become... Knowledgeable stewards of the equipment Effective teachers of Internet safety Sharp-eyed monitors of student behavior online

Supervision and monitoring are mandatory.

Who Owns the Content?

Teacher-developed content could be in the public domain, or owned by the teacher or the district.

Follow your collective bargaining agreements.

If a student creates content as part of a regular instructional program, it belongs to him or her — unless the student works for the school and is paid for this work.

Students own their own work.

Student Data

Make sure everyone follows this law — Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA.

Student data is confidential.

Applies to any educational organization that gets money from USDOE.

Let’s Take a Look at Two Districts with Smart Network Policy

Shoreline │ Vancouver

Smart Network Policy in the K-12 Environment Can Have Lasting Value

Technologically fluent citizens participate in a satisfying and effective way in the digital environment. Their civil life engages a variety of online platforms safely and with integrity.

Technologically fluent citizens recognize that any content they post online is public and permanent, and can have a long-term impact on life and career.

More Information & the Model Electronic Resources Policy

Electronic Resources Policy:http://www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/InternetSafety/

Contact MeDennis Small(360) 725-6435dennis.small@k12.wa.us

Educational Technology@OSPI:http://www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/

For More Information