Digital Citizenship&

SocialResponsibility

Surrey School district has renewed its policy on the responsible use of Information andCommunications Technologies. This policy evolved from a strong and representativeworking committee and also an online collaborative discussion forum, sent out toparents and our community members to elicit feedback. The purpose of this documentis to share our directions as a district. This is an evolving document that was compiledfrom numerous sources including parent voice.

The district recognizes the importance of information technology, hardware, software andrelated infrastructure as part of operations, and the increasing importance of technologytools and digital citizenship as part of the classroom and curriculum.

The district also recognizes the dynamic nature of technology and the need to adapt toemerging legal, safety, privacy and ethical issues. There is an ongoing commitment toapply a dedicated and responsible approach to the safety and privacy of all electronic

personal information and the implications of authorized access is key. The sameguidelines for responsible conduct that apply to our school environments also apply toour digital learning environments. Just as bullying is not permitted in our schools, thencyberbullying is not tolerated online. Online safety and privacy is best ensured whenthere is fl uidity between home and school.

Safety: We recognize the benefi ts of building and supporting innovative digital learning environments, with tools that are relevant to our diverse learners andtheir needs. We are committed to promoting and monitoring digital environmentsthat are safe and appropriate for the maturity level of our student users. Buildingawareness for both staff and students about the importance of safe guarding

1.

Privacy: The online supervision of our students will be carried out in away that respects both their privacy rights and best interests. There arevarious reasons to monitor access including promoting positive learningenvironments, preventing breaches of confi dentiality and keeping schools safe from harassment, intimidation or threats. The district will not postor disclose personal information, photos, videos or work related issues(including student work) without the permission of all parties involved.Parents will be informed about various purposes and educational goalsfor posting information and communication about who has access to the

Responsible online citizenship: The district supports acomprehensive and proactive approach to responsibledigital citizenship for both staff and students. TheInternational Society for Technology in Education (ISTE),in its standards for students, defi nes digital citizenship as: students understand human, cultural, and societalissues related to technology and practice legal andethical behavior; advocate and practice safe, legal, andresponsible use of information and technology; exhibit apositive attitude toward using technology that supportscollaboration, learning, and productivity; demonstratepersonal responsibility for lifelong learning; exhibitleadership for digital citizenship.

For students to use digital tools to communicate and manage their learning, teachers mustreceive by law informed consent from parents through the District Technology Tool Consent Form.Informed consent means permission is granted with a clear understanding of the implications,and future consequences of an action. Consent means that parents give permission for theirchild to use a technology tool such as district email and informed consent means that theyare aware of potential risk or harm for granting permission. As informed consent implies, theremust be a clear understanding of what permissions are being granted.

Surrey students develop their online presence over time, with a graduated exposure to socialnetworking, including structured learning activities in the classroom and collaboration betweenhome and school. If issues arise, there are opportunities for educators to readdress theimportance of responsible digital citizenship. If students learn network etiquette, both at schooland at home (online safety, privacy and digital laws) they are on their way to becoming digitalcitizens who contribute to the learning in their schools and community. This also preparesthem for future employment opportunities.

2.

and manage their personal goals through social media and face-to-face learning. Surreystudents learn about and experience the benefi ts of positive professional learning networks, through the guidance of their teachers. A student’s personal learning network is like theirdigital learning locker. Students learn how to select, organize and share effective ideas andsources (both locally and globally) at stages that are appropriate for their development andage.

Online publishing: Users should assume that all materials on the Internet are protected bycopyright and should take appropriate credit for materials that they createthemselves. Unless users are specifi cally authorized to speak on behalf of the district as a spokesperson, they should state that views expressed in onlinepostings are their own.

File sharing: Sharing work online is for the primary purpose of developing and strengtheningprofessional/learning spaces. The district encourages all members of the community to criticallyreview information and to respond to the source if the information shared is inaccurate,misleading or unintentionally misleading.

Mobile devices: The use of mobile devices should not interfere with the personal safety orprivacy of students and staff, the learning environment and various professional responsibilities.During instructional time use is at the discretion of the teacher. Students who bring devices toschool are responsible for the safety and security of their devices.

Social networking: Social networking, within a district context, is forthe purpose of establishing an online presence that promotes positive,interactive, professional and educational communications. Clarity aboutthe distinction between personal social media use and professional/educational use is key. Employees conduct themselves appropriately onsocial media sites when in communication with the community, theirstudents and parents. Staff and students use appropriate network etiquetteand demonstrate the same online behaviour as they would in person, suchas presenting themselves online as they would want to be viewed off line.

Personallearningnetworks(PLNs)allowteachersandstudentstocommunicate

3.Dec. 2015