Bonnie Birdsall

Why is student data privacy important? 

What systems are in place to protect student data? 

Are vendors signing your data privacy agreements? Is anyone looking at privacy policies?

Who manages this process? 

Does everyone in your district know about it and understand why it's needed? How has this been communicated? 

Does your district have a process in place when an employee wants to purchase/use a new platform, work with a new vendor, or explore  a new device? 

Who is involved in these decisions and thinking about it from a systems perspective? 

What needs to be or has been considered? 

How does efficacy, cost, and student data privacy factor in? 

How has your district informed all employees about this process and made its use an expectation? 

What is your district's stance on AI? 

Does your district have a statement about AI? 

What education has been offered about AI to district leadership, building leaders, teachers? 

What tools/platforms have been vetted for student data privacy and COPPA? 

What instruction about AI has been introduced to students before using AI tools or platforms? 

Is it the wild West out there? Do you have pockets of teachers trying things out while others are not informed? What's your district's plan? 

How are decisions made about what digital tools are used in your district? Who is involved in making those decisions? 

What factors are considered? 

How is the district evaluating the return on investment? Is there an impact on learning? How might that be measured?

How are these tools supported (or not) with professional development? 

How much time are students spending on school-provided devices? Are teachers aware of and coordinating with other teachers to consider screen time in school? 

How much time are students spending on content-related tools vs. tools that support creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking? Are students using the power of technology to showcase and enhance learning? 

What instruction and conversations occur in your schools and classrooms around digital citizenship? 

Who is responsible for incorporating this into the culture of the school and district? 

Are teachers and administrators incorporating this topic into the culture of your schools or classrooms or paying lip service to intentionally teaching digital citizenship? 

Is anyone talking about this topic in your schools and district? 

How are we helping our students responsibly use the power of digital tools and devices to do positive things and bring about change?

Are parents and caregivers asking questions about screen time, cell phones, bullying, safety, and more? What is the school or district providing to support parents and caregivers? 

Would having a digital learning plan help your district move forward? 

How might it align with your strategic plan and continuous improvement plan? 

How are these topics being addressed in your district? 

Computer science, AI, digital citizenship, digital literacy, student-centered learning? 

Has your district evaluated the systems in place to ensure that digital tools are used effectively and productively? 

How do those engaged in digital learning interact with the IT team? 

What personnel structure is in place?  

Where does digital learning fall in the list of district priorities? 

Does your district have a communication plan? 

Who is responsible for district communications? 

Have you considered: 

how best to tell your district's story and engage your community 

internal communications

budget communications

crisis communications

accessibility for all

branding