Fairview Digital Citizenship Plan 

This plan is part of the CBE Digital Citizenship Process.

Schools must complete this plan:

• to be compliant with Administrative Regulation 1062 Use of Electronic Resources.
• to allow students to connect to the school’s wireless network with their own devices.

FAIRVIEW STUDENTS ARE NOT TO BRING THEIR CELL PHONES TO CLASS.  PHONES BROUGHT TO SCHOOL ARE TO BE KEPT IN YOUR LOCKER AND MAY BE ACCESSED DURING LUNCH OR NUTRITION BREAK ONLY.

Fairview Digital Citizenship Plan:  Eight Elements

1) Digital Access – Full electronic participation in society

Technology users need to be aware of and support electronic access for all to create a foundation for Digital Citizenship. Digital exclusion of any kind does not enhance the growth of users in an electronic society.

At Fairview, students have access to many forms of digital devices for their class work, including computers (desktop and laptop), SMART Boards, digital cameras as well as mobile devices like iPads. Students are free to bring in their own devices and connect to the school’s wireless network, which allows for access to the internet via the CBE filters. To use school or their own devices, students must sign, return and follow the Student Digital Citizenship Acceptable Use Agreement.    We are asking that students in Grades 4-6 not bring a cell phone to school.  Grades 7-9 may bring their cell phone to school however, it must be kept in their locker during class times.  For personal devices to be used during class time, students must do so with the permission of the classroom teacher.

2) Digital Self – Respectfully and responsibly create and manage positive personal digital presence

Technology users create, exchange, receive and generate a sea of digital information (photos, music, social networks). This digital information or “image footprint” has unlimited life span. Users should understand that the online and offline identities will affect your relationships, sense of self and reputation. Young people are exposed to many opportunities to express themselves through digital media. On the one hand, playing around with creative identities can be a safe and imaginative ways for them to explore who they are. On the other hand, digital identity can be a way for them to dodge personal consequences, to push limits and act in ways they wouldn’t in the real world or overshare/create reputations that might come back to haunt them.

At Fairview, students are expected to follow Administrative Regulation 6005-Student Code of Conduct and other laws that can be affected by digital use (cyberbullying, hacking into others information, illegal downloading, etc. Students will have opportunities to learn about digital law, how it affects them and how to legally operate in a technology rich world.

3) Digital Interactions – Respectfully and responsibly collaborate and build relationships

 In the 21st century, communication options have exploded to offer a wide variety of choices (e.g., email, cellular phones, instant messaging). The expanding digital communication options have changed everything because people are able to keep in constant communication with anyone else. Now everyone has the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with anyone from anywhere and anytime. Unfortunately, many users have not been taught how to make appropriate decisions when faced with so many different digital communication options. Technology users often see this area as one of the most pressing problems when dealing with Digital Citizenship. We recognize inappropriate behaviour when we see it, but before people use technology they do not learn digital etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct). Many people feel uncomfortable talking to others about their digital etiquette. Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is simply banned to stop inappropriate use. It is not enough to create rules and policy, we must teach everyone to become responsible digital citizens in this new society.

At Fairview, students are free to bring in their own personal devices, whether they be iPods, iPads, or their own personal computers. In doing so, students are instructed in the proper use of their devices within a school learning environment and which behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable. Students are given opportunity to learn how to appropriately use technology in a given environment. Through classroom discussions and reflection, students learn proper etiquette for working with technology.  For personal devices to be used during class time, students must do so with the permission of the classroom teacher. All students are to leave their devices in their locker during class times.

4) Digital Learning – Process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology

Learners must be taught how to learn in a digital society. As new technologies emerge, learners need to learn how to use that technology quickly and appropriately. Digital Citizenship involves educating people in a new way— these individuals need a high degree of information literacy skills.

At Fairview, students are provided opportunities to work with new and exciting technologies, whether they be hardware or software specific. Students learn how to communicate through a variety of media, including visual, auditory and written text.

5) Digital Rights and Responsibilities – Understand regulations governing use of technology

Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free speech, etc. Basic digital rights must be addressed, discussed, and understood in the digital world. With these rights also come responsibilities. Users must help define how the technology is to be used in an appropriate manner. In a digital society these two areas must work together for everyone to be productive.

At Fairview, students are given opportunities to make connections between traditional rights and responsibilities and digital rights and responsibilities. Students are viewed as stakeholders and have say in how technology is used responsibly within the school.

6) Digital Health and Wellness – Physical and psychological well-being in a digital world

Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practices are issues that need to be addressed in a new technological world. Beyond the physical issues are those of the psychological issues that are becoming more prevalent such as Internet addiction. Users need to be taught that there are inherent dangers of technology. Digital Citizenship includes a culture where technology users are taught how to protect themselves through education and training.

At Fairview, students are provided opportunities to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of technology, whether it be safe practices online or proper posture when typing.

7) Digital Commerce – Electronic buying and selling of goods

Technology users need to understand that a large share of market economy is being done electronically. Legitimate and legal exchanges are occurring, but the buyer or seller need to be aware of the issues associated with it. The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys, clothing, cars, food, etc. has become commonplace to many users.

At Fairview, students are exposed to the concepts of digital commerce and that it is a viable form of business transaction. Students may, through daily work or as part of a CTF project, design and create a product and then investigate how they would go about marketing and selling a product online. Through such investigation, students will gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of digital commerce.

8) Digital Security (self-protection) – Electronic precautions to guarantee safety

In any society, there are individuals who steal, deface, or disrupt other people. The same is true for the digital community. It is not enough to trust other members in the community for our own safety. In our own homes, we put locks on our doors and fire alarms in our houses to provide some level of protection. The same must be true for the digital security. We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and surge control of our equipment. As responsible citizens, we must protect our information from outside forces that might cause disruption or harm.

At Fairview, students are instructed and given opportunities to discuss the notion of digital security and their role in keeping themselves and others safe. Students are made aware of the importance of secure passwords, keeping private information private, and other hazards, such as viruses, and malicious websites and/or emails.

Advantages of Digital Learning Opportunities

• Critically assess and communicate information and understanding
• Supporting the development of personalized learning
• Learning to communicate and collaborate effectively using various technology
• Seek alternative viewpoints
• Construct personal knowledge and meaning
• Interact with other learners
• Access to real time current events to support learning
• Demonstrating understanding of learning outcomes in creative and thoughtful ways
• Learning to organize and manipulate data

Expectations of Students Using Technology at School

With these advantages in mind there are a few considerations that need to be recognized and agreed upon by all students, staff and parents to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for all. The following inappropriate activities are prohibited and will be addressed on an individual basis regardless of whether the student was using personal or school owned devices:

• Using technology without the permission/supervision of a teacher
• Using personal devices inappropriately during class (texting, chatting, gaming)
• Sending, posting, displaying or using obscene language/messages or pictures or information about oneself or others
• Harassing, insulting or attacking another person or their reputation
• Intentionally damaging school technology or networks
• Sharing of usernames and passwords for other people to use
• Utilizing another student’s device without permission
• Intentionally destroying other people’s work
• Trespassing in other’s folders, work areas or files
• Videotaping or taking pictures of others without consent
• Tampering with any computer accessories, hardware or software
• Using others accounts or allowing others access to your account
• Viewing websites through a proxy server
• Plagiarism of online content (violating copyright laws)
• Use of technology or accessing sites not approved by staff
• Students will not sell, transfer, share, distribute or publish information obtained in the recording of staff or students.  Recordings are to be used for study purposes only.
• Students will not post recordings on any Internet site (D2L, Facebook, YouTube, etc.,) under any circumstances.

Our expectation is that our students will become educated and responsible Digital Citizens. If, however, students breach any of the above, each situation is dealt with on an individual basis and whenever possible will be treated as a learning situation for the student(s) involved. A breech of policy may result in:

• Restriction or loss of technology privileges
• Restriction of use or confiscation of personal device.  
• School based disciplinary consequences: and/ or
• Police intervention and/or legal action

It is important that parents/guardians and students remember the following:

• The school is not responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of student electronic devices.
• The school is not able to provide technical support for student devices.
• Devices can only be utilized when students are under the direct supervision of a teacher in an approved area of the school.
• Devices can only be utilized for educational purposes.
• Misuse will be determined by the staff and administration.

Student Safety

Outcomes for student online safety include:

• The school has an acceptable use policy modeled on AR 1062 and AR 6005 and it has been communicated to students.
• Appropriate ICT outcomes relating to digital citizenship have been infused in core subjects that relate to student safety.
• Consequences for inappropriate use have been communicated to students.

At Fairview, the following provisions ensure student safety:

• The use of the CBE internet filters system to ensure students have access to appropriate websites.
• Teacher supervision when students are using technology for educational purposes.
• Education concerning the potential dangers of the internet.
• Education concerning proper use of technology.
• Education regarding digital rights and responsibilities.

Student Learning

At Fairview, the following provisions ensure student learning:

• Provision of various forms of technology, including but not limited to desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile devises, digital cameras, document cameras, SMART Boards.
• Education, for teachers and students, on how to effectively use the available technology.
• Project Based learning that utilizes technology as an essential component
• Education regarding digital law, including digital copyright, and how such ideas can be incorporated into the learning process.

Staff Professional Development

At Fairview, the following provisions ensure staff professional development:

• Ongoing formal and informal sessions that educate staff on the use of specified technology in the classroom.
• Establishment of a collaborative learning environment where all participants, teachers and students, have the opportunity to act as learners and teachers.
• Participation in external professional development opportunities, such as webinars.

Parent Communication

At Fairview, the following provisions ensure effective parent communication:

• Ongoing formal and informal communication through the use of the school and classroom websites, email and D2L.
• Information sessions regarding Digital Citizenship help at School Council Meetings.

References

Calgary Board of Education (2015). Digital Citizenship. [ONLINE] Available at: http:// www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/technol...

Nine Elements. (2012). digital citizenship: Using technology appropriately. Retrieved July 9, 2012, from http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html