Procedures and Guidance for Access to Electronic Media

Quote from Policy:

SAFETY PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES The Superintendent shall develop and implement appropriate procedures to provide guidance for access to electronic media and authorized communication system(s). Guidelines shall address teacher supervision of student computer use, ethical use of electronic media (including, but not limited to, the Internet, e-mail, and other District technological resources), and issues of privacy versus administrative review of electronic files and communications. In addition, guidelines shall prohibit utilization of networks for prohibited or illegal activities, the intentional spreading of embedded messages, or the use of other programs with the potential of damaging or destroying programs or data. 

Guidance from District Technology Coordinator:

Teacher Supervision of Student Computer Use (Current Parameters in Place)

• We have GoGuardian Teacher that allows for teachers to see screens without being directly behind the student

• GoGuardian Teacher also allows for blocking of sites as well as forcing a student to “focus” on a given site sent to them by the teacher

• We also have a filter which records browsing data of students while using their school email credentials.

• Guest mode/Incognito modes are disabled for students

• Students are forced to only use school logons for school devices.

• BYOD devices are filtered on our network with a CIPA compliant filter, this traffic is not traceable.

Teacher Supervision of student computer use is an important component of our current learning environment.  The following guidelines should help staff navigate teacher supervision of student computer use.

• Student screens should always be visible to staff.  This can be accomplished by room arrangement as well as utilizing software such as GoGuardian Teacher or other equivalent systems which enable staff to see what is on a student’s screen. When students are on devices it is still crucial for staff to circulate around the room and use proximity for all of its positive benefits.  

• If GoGuardian Teacher is utilized there  are additional benefits such as limited free browsing and forcing focus on specific sites during instructional time.  

• During supervision if a teacher sees suspicious activity, they should follow up with building admins and STC.  There are people in the building who have the ability to look at the internet browsing history of any student from any time.  This also includes browsing that occurs after school hours.  If students are using their school account, they are monitored by filtering software.

• Students should always use their school provided credentials to use school  equipment or our network.  Our devices are configured to not allow incognito mode/guest modes as well as not allow students to log in using private accounts.  If a staff member suspects there has been a circumvention of these configurations, they should intervene.

• Be aware that if a student is using a personal device (BYOD Device) that device is filtered on our network with a CIPA compliant filter, but that traffic is not able to be recovered.  If a student is using personal cell data as a means of accessing the internet we have no ability to filter or monitor such activity except for in cases where they are using their school credentials to browse the internet.  App usage is not monitored or recorded.  You are strongly advised by the technology department to NOT allow students access or use of their personal devices while they are under your care.

Ethical use of Electronic Media is a foundational skill that must be practiced by all staff and at all grade levels at BCS.   The following guidelines are designed to help staff achieve this goal.

• Electronic media, AI and Technology in general is ever changing.  It is important for staff to actively seek out new training opportunities as well as strive to stay up to date on current technology

• www.commonsense.org has a variety of lesson plans and web pages that are designed to facilitate staff learning about ethical use of electronic media as well as create lessons to help students master this foundational skill