6141.328

Instruction

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Protocol for the Use of Technology in the Schools

As new technologies continue to change the world in which we live, they also provide many new and positive educational benefits for classroom instruction. To prepare students as 21st century thinkers and learners, students in the ____________Public School District are now encouraged to bring their own technology to campus.

(Alternate language to the above paragraph)

(Alternate #1) The Board of Education is committed to aiding students and staff in creating a 21st century learning environment. Therefore students and staff will be permitted to access the District’s wireless network with their personal devices during the school day. With teacher approval, students may use their own devices to access the Internet and collaborate with other students.

(Alternate #2) Access to the District’s wireless network, including the Internet shall be made available to students for instructional purposes in accordance with administrative regulations.

(Alternate #3) Technology use is everywhere in our world today. The Board of Education believes schools should play a role in teaching students to use technology appropriately. Rather than banning the devices the District’s students use in their daily lives, the same devices they will soon come to rely on in their future professional lives, it is important to guide them in developing the skills needed to be productive digital citizens, by bringing their own technology to campus.

Definition of “Device”

A “device” as part of this protocol is a piece of privately owned and/or portable electronic handheld technology that includes emerging mobile communication systems and smart technologies, laptops and netbooks, and any technology that can be used for wireless internet access, word processing, image capture/recording, sound recording and information transmitting, receiving, and storing.

(Alternate language to the above paragraph)

(Alternate #1) For purposes of BYOD, a “device” means a privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic piece of equipment that includes laptops, netbooks, tablets/slates, iPod Touches, e-Readers, cell and smart phones.

(Alternate #2) For purposes of BYOD/BYOT a “device” means a privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic hand held equipment that includes, but is not limited to, existing and emerging mobile communication systems and smart technologies, portable internet devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), hand held entertainment systems or portable information technology systems that can be used for word processing, wireless internet access, image capture/recording, sound recording and information transmitting/receiving/storing.

Internet

The only internet gateway that may be accessed while in the District Public Schools is the one provided by the District. Any device brought to the District will not be permitted to use outside internet sources.

Personal internet connective devices, such as but not limited to cell phones/cell network adapters, are not permitted to be used to access outside internet sources at any time.

Software

Many software packages are now available as web browser applications. This negates the need to have required programs loaded onto student computers. Students can access what they will need through any web browser. Therefore, there is no required software necessary to take part in the Bring Your Own Device program.

Security and Damages

Responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the individual owner. The __________Public School District is not liable for any device stolen or damaged on campus. If a device is stolen or damaged, it will be handled through the administrative office as other personal items that are stolen or damaged. It is recommended that skins, decals, and other custom touches be used to identify physically a student’s device from others. Additionally, protective cases for technology are encouraged.

Bring Your Own Device/Technology Student and Parent Agreement

The use of technology to provide educational material is not a necessity but a privilege. A student does not have the right to use his/her electronic device while at school. When abused, privileges will be taken away. When respected, they will benefit the learning environment as a whole.

Students and parents/guardians participating in the Bring Your Own Device/Technology program must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as all applicable Board policies, particularly the Computer Acceptable Use policy.

The use of these devices, as with any personally owned device, is strictly up to the teacher.

(cf. 5114 – Suspension/Expulsion)

(cf. 5132.81 – Use of Electronic Devices)

(cf. 5131.911 – Bullying)

(cf. 5131.913 – Cyberbullying)

(cf. 5131 – Conduct)

(cf. 5144 – Discipline)

(cf. 6141.321 – Acceptable Computer Use Policy)

(cf. 6141.323 – Internet Acceptable Use: Filtering)

(cf. 6141.326 – Online Social Networking)

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

10-221 Boards of education to prescribe rules

Policy adopted:

6141.328

Instruction

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Protocol for the Use of Technology in the Schools

The following guidelines shall govern the manner in which the Bring Your Own Device/Technology (BYOD/BYOT) policy and program are to operate within the District.

Readiness

The implementation of this program will require the support of a robust wireless infrastructure. A network evaluation will be conducted to determine any and all necessary infrastructure changes and upgrades that are needed before a full implementation.

The implementation of the program may require minor changes in the manner network administration is currently done. Considerations must be given to issues of security, accessibility, cloud computing, etc. The readiness evaluation report must include any and all network administration changes needed to support BYOD/BYOT.

Definitions

Teachers’ Role

1. Teachers are facilitators of instruction in their classrooms. Therefore, they will not spend time on fixing technical difficulties with students’ personal devices in the classrooms. They will educate and provide guidance on how to use a device and troubleshoot simple issues, but they will not provide technical support. This responsibility resides at home with parents/guardians.

2. Teachers may communicate information regarding educational applications and suggest appropriate tools that can be downloaded to personal devices at home. Parents will need to assist their younger children with downloads if they wish to follow teachers’ suggestions. No applications are to be downloaded at school.

3. Teachers are to closely supervise students to ensure appropriate use of technology in the classrooms.

4. It is understood that not every student has his/her own electronic device. To ensure equal accessibility to technology resources, teachers will provide students with technology available within the school.

5. The use of these student personal devices, as with any personally owned device, is strictly up to the teacher.

Security and Damages

1. The District, or any of its schools, is not liable for any device that is stolen or damaged. Responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the individual owner. If a device is stolen or damaged, it will be handled through the administrative office as other personal items are stolen or damaged. It is recommended that skins, decals, and other custom touches be used to identify physically a student’s device from others. Additionally, protective cases for technology are encouraged.

2. Personal devices cannot be left on campus before or after school hours.

Operating Principles for Use of Personal Devices on School Campus

1. Devices cannot be used during assessments, unless otherwise directed by a teacher.

2. Students must immediately comply with teachers’ requests to shut down devices or close the screen. Devices must be in silent mode and put away when asked by teachers.

3. Students are not permitted to transmit or post photographic images/videos of any person on campus on public and/or social networking sites.

4. Personal devices must be charged prior to bringing them to school and run off their own batteries while at school.

5. To ensure appropriate network filters, students will only use the District’s wireless BYOD/BYOT connection in school and will not attempt to bypass the network restrictions by using 3G or 4G network.

6. Students must be instructed that bringing devices on campus or infecting the network with a virus, Trojan, or program designed to damage, alter, destroy, alter, or provide access to unauthorized data or information is in violation of the District’s Acceptable Use Policy and will result in disciplinary actions.

7. The District has the right to collect and examine any device that is suspected of causing problems or is the source of an attack or virus infection.

8. Students must be instructed that possessing or accessing information on school property related to “hacking”, altering, or bypassing network security policies is in violation of the Acceptable Use Policy and will result in disciplinary actions.

9. Students can only access files on the computer or Internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum and suggested by a teacher.

10. Printing from personal devices is not permitted at school.

11. Students are not to physically share their personal devices with other students, unless approved in writing by their parent/guardian.

12. Personal devices may not be used to cheat on assignments, tests or for non-instructional purposes, such as making personal phone call and text/instant messaging.

13. Personal devices may not be used to send inappropriate e-messages during the school day.

Standards of Responsible Use

All students in District schools must adhere to the following standards of responsible use:

The District may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the system responsibly. Users should not expect that files stored on district servers will always be private.

Students are responsible at all times for their use of the District’s electronic communication system and must assume personal responsibility to behave ethically and responsibly, even when technology provides them the freedom to do otherwise.

Students must log in and use the District filtered wireless network during the school day on personal electronic devices.

Students must not access, modify, download, or install computer programs, files, or information belonging to others.

Students must not waste or abuse school resources through unauthorized system use (e.g. playing online games, downloading music, watching video broadcasts, participating in chat rooms, etc.).

Students must not alter computers, networks, printers or other equipment except as directed by a staff member.

Technology, including electronic communication, should be used for appropriate educational purposes only and should be consistent with the educational objectives of the District.

Students must not release personal information on the Internet or electronic communications.

If a student finds an inappropriate site or image, he or she must immediately minimize the program and contact the instructor.

Students must not create/publish/submit or display any materials/media that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal and should report any instances encountered.

Students shall adhere to all laws and statutes related to issues of copyright or plagiarism.

Violation of any of these standards may result in suspension of computer use, Internet privileges and/or other disciplinary action.

Regulation approved: