Digital Citizenship Plan – Cappy Smart School 

The integration of technology into the classrooms to assist and enhance student learning is one goal that we have at Cappy Smart School. Technology can provide students with greater access to the world around them and to help them organize, synthesize, compare and analyze information. It allows for students to creatively display their understanding of the curricular concepts that they are learning. Technology is also used to foster intellectual engagement in students as they learn and grow. The technology students have access to at Cappy Smart are: Smartboards, laptop computers, desktop computers, iPads, iPods, NEOs, green screen technology and various software programs to enhance
learning.

It is the mission of the CBE to help students become safe, savvy and responsible digital citizens from Kindergarten – grade 12 and into adulthood. We aim to help our students communicate, function, and create change on local, national, and global levels, in ways that are responsible and respectful of others.

The use of digital devices throughout the learning process, with teacher support and careful supervision, provides opportunities for students to practice digital citizenship in contexts that mirror real life. The LAWN (Learner Accessible Wireless Network) is available and in use at Cappy Smart School. This system allows visitors and students who bring wireless devices into our school to connect to our wireless network. It also allows us to connect our iPads and iPods to the network to increase and expand the limitless possibilities for using technology in our classrooms.

1. Student Safety – What do we do to keep students safe when they are online?

• Students will be supervised at all times while on computers or other Student-Owned Devices. Supervisors will have the ability to see all screens and can communicate with students that the technology is being used in an acceptable manner.
• Teaching and learning of internet safety and how to access the best and most appropriate information, will be done on an ongoing basis to keep students apprised of what is new or happening.
• Students will learn and understand the CBE policy for AR 1062: Responsible Use of Electronic Information Sources.
• Consequences will be in place and implemented if inappropriate use of technology is discovered. As a final resort the student may have access disabled.

2. Student Learning – How will the school meet the learning outcomes of the students relating to digital citizenship?

• Teachers will plan and embed the Information and Communicative Technology outcomes relating to Digital Citizenship within the curriculum.
• Students will use technology to enhance their learning through thoughtfully planned tasks and be able to demonstrate their understanding in more creative and innovative ways.
• Students will use technology to learn and experience different ways to communicate through email, blogs, document, etc. to help share their ongoing work and achievements with fellow students, teachers and parents.
• Technology will help support self-paced learning
• Through technology and digital citizenship students will be able to create, explore and investigate inquiry questions asked, connecting them to learning and in and outside of the school community.
• Communication with parents through blogs, D2L, teacher instruction, online newsletters and websites will allow them to see what their student is learning and how they can help them.

3. Staff Professional Development – how will staff continue to enhance their own professional development related to digital citizenship?

• Collaboration with other teachers and staff at other schools to share unique and different ways of using technology within the classroom.
• Teachers will review the Digital Citizenship Plan throughout the year as it continues to change.
• When new technology is introduced into the school, the teachers will be given an opportunity to learn and understand it before giving it to the students to utilize.
• Ongoing Professional Development for teachers to assist in identifying and developing strategies to personalize the needs at the school in regards to ongoing programming, such as SIRS, IRIS and the new report card.

4. Student-Owned – How will the school support the use of Student-Owned Devices?

• Students will be allowed to use their own devices when appropriate to enhance and enrich their learning.
• Use of Student-Owned Devices will be monitored.
• Students will be educated in the appropriate use of their own devices and expectations and guidelines will be in place – appropriate use of technology in accordance to CBE regulations.
• The students will be in charge of keeping their own devices in a safe and secure place and it is their responsibility in case of loss, damage or theft.

5. Parent Communication – How will the Digital Citizenship Plan be communicated to parents?

• Through teacher blogs, newsletters and letters home the school will be able to communicate the Digital Citizenship Plan to parents.
• Information about digital citizenship will be available and posted on the school website.
• Teachers will communicate ongoing with parents through parent/teacher interviews, school council, online blogs, etc.
• Media release form was sent home, read and signed by parents.