Digital Citizenship Policy

Digital Citizenship

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement Students and Parents/Guardians

The use of electronic devices is now a part of daily life for most students. These devices can help student learning and engage students in the classroom. Our school uses electronic devices such as computers, interactive whiteboards, tablets and other mobile devices in the classroom to enhance academic achievement and help motivate students. Through the use of the school’s network, access to learning resources and applications (apps) help all students meet learning objectives. To help protect all students, proper use guidelines and practices for these devices must be established, followed and monitored. All parents/guardians must sign an Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement prior to students being permitted to use/access technology and online resources at school. The purpose of the agreement is to:

We ask parents and guardians to monitor use and to discuss these regulations and the proper use of technology with their children and we thank you for your support.

Online / “Cloud Services”

Some online tools and apps are referred to as “cloud services”. This means that students will store saved work online. Using cloud services, or online resources, will allow students to work on projects outside of school time. Schools will provide each student a user name, password and email address. To gain access to online resources and applications, students will need to use the provided account, password, and email address. Online privacy is a top priority for our school and the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (District) and we protect the online work of our students to the best of our ability.

Safe and Caring Schools

All students are expected to abide by the school’s Code of Conduct when using technology, accessing the Internet and interacting online.

Internet Access and Filtering

All schools now provide Internet access for teaching and learning. The Internet contains a wealth of educational material for the classroom but can also contain material that is not appropriate. The District filters web sites believed to be inappropriate for students. The District cannot and does not guarantee that inappropriate material can be completely filtered.

Email

Students will be assigned a gmail account for email purposes, e.g. JDoe_s@nlesd.ca. All student email addresses have the underscore (_) and ‘s’ contained in them. For more information, go to the District’s E-mail Policy and associated Regulations. Social Media The District recognizes that social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.) is a tool that can further enhance teaching and learning in our schools as well as communication between home and school and with the public. Students may have the opportunity to access various forms of social media at school. Further information will be provided at the school level. For more information, go to the District’s Social Media Policy and Terms of Reference for Students .

Portable Devices

The use of portable electronic devices (e.g., iPads, iPhones, laptop computers) is now part of daily life for most students. These devices promote student engagement, creativity and learning. Many schools now have sets of devices available for classroom use. Students may also be able to use their own portable electronic devices at school, in accordance with consistent, school-wide guidelines as determined by the school administration and staff. This Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement applies, whether a student is using a school-owned or personal device.

Acceptable Use of Technology

The following is NOT permitted :

Expectations

Monitoring and Access

Staff may access district-provided student accounts and communications for assessment purposes, to maintain system integrity, and to ensure students are using the system responsibly and safely.

Consequences

Use of technology resources including networks, computers or mobile devices and the Internet is a privilege that can be restricted or denied at any time for misuse or abusive conduct. Students may be subject to disciplinary action for using technology in violation of district policies, up to and including suspension. Failure to cooperate with the above will result in the application of an escalating scale of clear and consistent consequences.

● In the event that an electronics device is used for academic fraud a parent will be contacted and the device will be confiscated, a grade of 0% will result.


To download a copy of this policy in PDF format, click on this LINK.