Digital Citizenship/Honorable Use of Technology
Teachers will be discussing with students in Grades 1-6 the expectations that the school and the Calgary Board of Education have around the honorable use of technology. This document will be sent home with students to be reviewed with parents.
- Teachers monitor student accounts. If however parents become aware of concern around the ethical use of technology please do not hesitate to call the school. Students are not permitted to use cell phones during school hours.
- The use of personal devices such as iPods, laptops and iPads can only be used with teacher permission and supervision. At present and for this 2020-2021 school year we are asking that personal devices remain at home.
Computers in the Classroom
At Silver Springs School, technology is a key element integrated into the learning process for all students. Not only do students develop their own skills in the area of technology, but technology is an instructional tool used by teachers to help all students access material in a way that best suits their unique learning style. Through the use of a variety of programs and tools, students are given an opportunity to demonstrate learning in personalized ways. This approach increases student engagement and celebrates the unique talents and skills of individual learners.
At Silver Springs School, Smartboards are used on a daily basis to enhance student learning. There are provisions in place for cohorts of students to use laptops this year with safety measures in place. Students who are accessing technology at school must be under the direct supervision of a staff member. This applies to devices owned by The Calgary Board of Education and personal devices. For health and safety reasons we will do not share headphones for personal use.
Digital Citizenship Plan
This plan is one component of the CBE Digital Citizenship Process.
1. Student Safety
- Silver Springs has an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). The AUP will be emailed to all parents. Teachers will advise students as to the location of this document. Teachers will review the document with students as needed throughout the year.
- Teachers will infuse the appropriate ICT outcomes (Appendix B) relating to digital citizenship and student safety into core subject areas.
- The Silver Springs Digital Citizenship designate will source, compile, and make available to all teachers, students, and parents, a variety of high-quality resources pertaining to digital citizenship and Internet safety.
- Teachers will monitor student use of the Internet at all times. Teachers are actively involved in supervising and supporting students during Internet-based activities by walking around the work area and monitoring students’ actions. Such supervision will aim to help ensure appropriate conduct and the appropriate use of CBE information technology resources. Teachers will provide direct instruction on identifying appropriate and useful information when using the internet as well as what to do if a student should come across something deemed inappropriate.
- Teachers will identify and report problems of inappropriate or unacceptable Internet access by students to the school principal and/ or teacher.
The school will communicate pertinent information relating to digital citizenship to parents the following ways:
- The Acceptable Use Policy is posted on the Silver Springs website. Parents are asked to review this document with their child(ren). This document outlines responsible use of technology and consequences of misuse. .
2. Student Learning
The school will meet student learning outcomes relating to digital citizenship the following ways:
- Teachers will be provided with online resources (see appendix B) that will help them embed ICT outcomes relating to digital citizenship into curricula.
- Teachers, parents and students will be advised as to where they can access reliable and authoritative resources. This CBE approved list of reliable and authoritative resources will be made available in the CBE website.
- Teachers will be responsible to help students learn to evaluate the quality of material and information being accessed and used for learning purposes.
3. Staff Professional Development
The school will meet staff professional development outcomes relating to digital citizenship the following ways:
- Silver Springs' teachers will review the digital citizenship plan each year and update to keep it current with technological advances.
- Teachers will have access to this Digital Citizenship Plan and associated resources through the CBE website.
- Teachers reviewed resources available from the CBE website.
