PURPOSE: Duanesburg Central School District provides all students access to a Wi-Fi network and the option of bringing in a personal device as a means to enhance their education using 21st century skills. The intent of allowing such technologies is to enable students to utilize tools of communication for college and career readiness. The purpose of this policy is to assure that students recognize the limitations that the school imposes on their use of personal technology devices. In addition to this policy, the use of any school computer, including laptop computers, tablets, and smart phones also requires students to abide by the DCS Code: Electronic Technology Acceptable Use Procedure.
General Usage
Duanesburg Central School District permits students to bring a personal technology to school to use as an educational tool. The use of these devices will be at teacher and administrators discretion.
- Students must obtain teacher permission before using a personal device during classroom instruction. Student use of laptops or other personal computing devices for internet access, note taking, or word processing is at the teacher’s discretion. Students must turn off and put away a personal device when requested by a teacher.
- Student use of personal technology devices must support the instructional activities currently occurring in each classroom and lab. Nothing may be viewed or displayed that would be labeled as inappropriate.
- Students should be aware that their use of the device could cause distraction for others in the classroom, especially in regards to audio. Headsets, headphones, ear buds, sleep phones and like devices are not to be worn in hallways, classrooms, bus, and public areas due to the risk of safety. All like devices should be stored properly at all times in student lockers, pockets, or media storage pouches. All audio should be muted unless allowed by the teacher, and headphones should not be used during instructional time. Teachers and bus drivers may allow and approve of headset use in classrooms and bus only.
- Students must not under any circumstance use any devices for recording of audio, video, or photography in all locations on school property. This includes school buildings, district properties, and busses. Personal recording devices must not be used in order to maintain a right to confidentiality and privacy for all staff and students in the district. Video cameras used in courses or for local broadcast must be pre-approved for content and purpose through the supervising staff. Recording of administrators, teachers, bus drivers and other school personnel is prohibited and is otherwise considered invasion of privacy. Sporting events are an exception.
5. Students may use their personal technology devices before school, at lunch, and after school in adult supervised areas only, such as the Library Media Center or classrooms with the teacher present. The device should be used for educational purposes during these times. If an adult asks a student to put his/her device away because of misuse or other non-instructional activities during these times, the student must comply. Students are not to use devices for entertainment, playing games, or online shopping.
Definitions
Personal technology includes all existing and emerging technology devices that can take photographs; record audio or video; input text; upload and download media; and transmit or receive messages or images. Examples of personal technology includes, but are not limited to, iPods and MP3 players; iPad, Nook, Kindle, and other tablet PCs; laptop and netbook computers; personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones and smart phones such as BlackBerry, iPhone, or Droid, as well as any device with similar capabilities. Unacceptable devices shall include, but are not limited to, gaming devices or consoles, laser pointers, modems or routers, and televisions.
Instructional purposes include, but are not limited to, approved classroom activities, research, college admissions activities, career development, communication with experts, homework and other activities as deemed appropriate by school staff.
Personal technology use by students is permitted during the school day for educational purposes and/or in approved locations only. Teachers will indicate when and if classroom use is acceptable. Students are expected to act responsibly and thoughtfully when using technology resources. Students bear the burden of responsibility to inquire with school administrators and/or teachers when they are unsure of the permissibility of a particular use of technology prior to engaging in such use.
The district expressly prohibits use of personal technology in locker rooms, restrooms, Health Offices and any other areas where a person would reasonably expect some degree of personal privacy.
Student Responsibility & Behavior
Duanesburg Central Schools accept no responsibility for personal property brought to the school by students. Students who choose to bring a technology device to school assume total responsibility for the device. District Information Technology staff are not able to provide technical support or repairs on personal devices. Devices that are stolen or damaged are the responsibility of the student and their parents or guardians.
Students should take all reasonable steps to protect against the theft or damage of their personal technology devices.
- Access appropriate information, images, data and use appropriate language, and Information
- Ask for permission before accessing the Internet with personal portable devices
- Never view, use, or copy passwords of another user
- Only access or share other people’s data after permission has been given. Sharing of group files during collaborative projects is approved as using technology for 21st century learning.
- Never distribute personal information regarding yourself or anyone else, to anyone online – such as, but not limited to
a. Phone numbers, addresses, or name
b. Arrangements to meet someone online unless this is part of an approved school assignment,
pre-approved by school personnel, and with a teacher present
c. Photos or videos of anyone – as per the media policy - Immediately report threatening, discomforting, indecent or inappropriate materials, found on the internet or in a file, to a teacher or administration.
- Never buy, sell, advertise or otherwise conduct business, unless this is approved as a school assignment.
Consequences of General Usage
If students refuse to comply with the above guidelines, the consequences of the Electronic Technology Acceptable Use Procedure will apply. The student will be banned from using electronic devices if he or she does not follow acceptable use policies. Student infractions will be documented with a disciplinary referral for each offense.
Physical Security
Users should take the following physical security preventative measures.
- Your device should NEVER be left unattended for ANY period of time. When not using your device, it should be locked in your school locker.
- Personal devices must not be:
o Left unattended at any time (If a device is left unattended it will be picked up by staff and turned into the Library Media Center.)
o Left in view of an unattended vehicle
Access Control and Authorization
To use a device within the school, students must sign onto the network using your assigned user name.
Students may only access the internet and the school network via a Wi-Fi connection. Any student found connecting his/her laptop to the network using an Ethernet cable plugged into a wall jack will have his/her laptop confiscated and lose personal device access privileges.
Searching of devices whether confiscated or found is strictly prohibited. All necessary searches must be done only under warrant of Law Enforcement.