Parents' Corner
- General School Information
- Student Learning
- Commit to Character
- Code of Conduct
- Child Safety
- Parent Involvement
- Technology Use Guidelines
- Health & Wellness
- Protocols & Procedures
- Student Personal Information
- Safe & Healthy Schools
- Kindergarten
- Parent Resources
- Commit to Character
- School Councils
- Parent Involvement Committee
- Attendance Counsellors
- Secondary School Course Selection
- Parent eBulletin
- Circle of Learning Conference
Technology Use Guidelines
The information in this section is reprinted from the student agenda that is distributed to all elementary students in the Simcoe County District School Board.
Technology Use Guidelines
The use of educational technology devices is an important element of student learning, and teaching in our schools. The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) establishes Acceptable Use Guidelines that all people who utilize educational devices are to follow. The SCDSB expects all users of the educational technology system to comply with these guidelines. Misuse and /or abuse of board and school facilities and resources is subject to consequences as defined and explained in the SCDSB Code of Conduct. The SCDSB Acceptable Use Guidelines can be found at www.scdsb.on.ca.
The proper and effective use of educational technology devices is expected of all students and staff. While teachers do supervise the use of such devices, students are expected to utilize all devices and access sites in a responsible manner. The SCDSB employs filtering software to guide, and in some cases restrict, access by students to the Internet. No software, however, can be completely effective in blocking unacceptable web sites.
Students in SCDSB have access to the Internet to support their learning goals, to access curriculum related materials and to research reference materials. The provision of internet access is intended to support the goals of the SCDSB through its multi-year plan, The Simcoe Path, the Board Improvement Plan, and all School Improvement Plans.
Social Networking
The evolution of the Internet and social networking sites has fundamentally changed how we communicate and collaborate with teachers, students, parents and communities. While collaboration in the online world can be a very powerful teaching tool, staff and students must remember that:
• the Internet and social networking sites are public places;
• what goes online stays online and may never be fully erased; and,
• in the online world people may not always be who they say they are.
Internet social networking refers to an online community of Internet users who share common interests and includes Blogs, Wikis, Moodles®, collaboration forums, discussion boards and social networking sites such as Facebook®, Twitter®, YouTube®, etc.
Personal information about an identifiable or potentially identifiable individual shall not be posted on the Internet (Blogs, Wikis, online social networks or other forms of online discussion and collaboration sites) without the written consent of the parent/guardian or adult student. This includes information that students will be self-posting as part of a class assignment.
When seeking consent for posting online, the parent/guardian shall be provided with an overview of the activity which clearly states expectations and guidelines for students. Should a parent/adult student choose not to participate, the teacher shall find a suitable educational alternative for the student.
If using social networking sites outside of the classroom (i.e. in their homes) students are reminded that appropriate behaviour and anti-bullying guidelines apply in the online world. Protect your own privacy, safety and reputation.
Student Guest Wireless Network
The Student Guest Wireless Network provides students with enhanced access to the Internet with their own devices. The use of the Student Guest Wireless network allows students and teachers to use their personal wireless devices in classrooms for academic purposes, which enriches learning experiences and supports student achievement.
Students will require parent/guardian permission to access the Student Guest Wireless Network. Parents/guardians should consider the following information when granting permission:
• The decision to allow a student to bring a personally owned device to school rests
with the parent and the student. The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB)
and SCDSB schools will not be responsible for devices that are lost, stolen, or
damaged in any manner. Devices should be easily identifiable, clearly labelled,
and where possible, registered with the manufacturer.
• A copy of the acceptable use guidelines can be found at www.scdsb.on.ca.
Parents/guardians are expected to review the acceptable use guidelines with their
children.
• Students must also complete the online test component prior to gaining access
to the guest network http://student.scdsb.on.ca.
• Internet access will be filtered in accordance with the SCDSB filtering process.
• The use of online collaboration forum tools such as blogs, social networking sites,
wikis, etc., may be enhanced with wireless access.
• Students’ access to the guest network will not be limited to instructional time.
Parents/guardians should discuss appropriate guidelines for personal use of the
Internet with their children, and determine if their child can responsibly manage
their device at school. Please refer to the Code of Conduct in the student agenda
for acceptable use guidelines.
Students at no time have permission to connect to the local area network (LAN) using a cable of any sort. Access to the Guest Network is a privilege. The SCDSB in its sole discretion may deny Guest Network access at any time.
Appropriate Use of Audio, Visual and Audio/Visual Recording Equipment
The use of audio, audio/visual and/or digital imaging or photographic equipment must be expressly authorized by school teaching or administrative staff prior to any recordings being made. Such equipment includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart phones, iPods, iPads, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3Players, tape recorders, video-recorders, digital audio recorders and any other technological equipment that allows for recordings to be made of visual images and/or sounds. This is to respect the privacy and ensure the safety of all students and staff. If recordings are taken without permission, it may result in confiscation of the equipment and appropriate discipline. Confiscated equipment may be returned to the parent or legal guardian or in the event of suspected illegal or inappropriate activity may be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Appropriate Use of Technology and Digital Citizenship
The Simcoe Path (SCDSB multi-year plan) supports the integration of technology for teaching and learning. The direction is to assist our students in developing the ability to determine what is appropriate, safe and realistic in their personal and virtual interactions with others. This becomes increasingly more evident as the availability and use of technology devices becomes more common place in our schools and in students’ lives.
Digital Citizenship involves nine elements that define safe, appropriate use of technology. Teachers are to integrate digital citizenship into curriculum delivery to assist students in developing the skills required to navigate the online world.
The Code of Conduct applies to any interaction impacting the school, including students and staff, at any time (including non school hours). Students may be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion should they engage in inappropriate use of technology.