A School's Plan for Teaching the Ethical Use of Technology

With so much technology available to our students it is incumbent upon us to teach
students the ethical responsibilities of technology usage. 

The Data

According to a recent Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) administered to
parents, students and staff, the area of social media was reported within the neutral zone
while all other surveyed areas fell within the positive range. 

Based on the reported data:

61% of students

27% of staff

59% of parents reported social media within a neutral or negative range. 

According to the CSCI report (CSCI),  the area of social media is considered the “sense
that students feel safe from physical harm, verbal abuse/teasing, gossip, and exclusion when
online or on electronic devices (for example, facebook, twitter, and other social media
platforms, by an email, text messaging, posting photo/video, etc.) (p. 2).”  Based on this data,
our School Improvement plan was written to meet or exceed a rating or 3.3 on the
2020 CSCI survey results in the area of social media. 

The Plan

As part of our School Improvement Team, a plan was designed that will lead to more
responsible technology leadership among parents, staff, administrators, and students.  The
plan involves teaching Social Media Lessons to students in grades K-5 and a parent education
piece around this topic.

At School

During MRC (Media Resource Center) visits, third through fifth-grade students will engage in
two lessons taught by the MRC director on -  Digital Footprint and Identity, and Relationships
and Communication. Two additional lessons will be taught by homeroom teachers during
class meetings on Cyberbullying, and Media Balance and Well Being.  In grades K-2, lessons
will focus on digital citizenship.   

Our District's Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) Safety Training section states, “The District
provides training to all students in internet safety and digital citizenship as part of the curriculum
and consistent with CIPA.”   In accordance with School Board Policy 7:180 on Prevention of
and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment, a comprehensive plan is necessary.

Reflecting on my research into ethics policies from various organizations proves it is the school’s duty to teach
kids how to be responsible with their use of technology.  Organizations such as IEEE (Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society) and ACM (Association for
Computing Machinery) both have technology ethics codes that promote the safety of all users
when it comes to discrimination, harassment, or bullying.  Similarly, the Consortium for School
Networking’s (CoSN) policy holds members to high ethical and safety standards when it comes
to the use of technology. Even more so, school districts should begin teaching young learners
from the very start how to be responsible with the digital tools they have available.

Parent Education

With these ethics codes in mind, a plan needs to involve staff, students, and parents. 
Increasing parent involvement is key to improving awareness in this area. Partnering with
parents can lead to a smoother deployment of devices.  In order to pick up school-issued
devices, students, along with a parent, would attend a welcome back to school event. 
While at the event, the AUA would be explained by staff before parents and students sign it
and students are issued a device.  While at the event, students and a parent would visit
various stations related to online safety and digital citizenship as stated in the district's
AUA and in accordance with district board policies against bullying.

While students attend sessions, parents can also attend sessions outlining how they can
maintain online safety at home using parental controls and through a presentation about
social media guidelines.  This kick-off event would jumpstart the year on the right foot with
parents, students, and staff all aware of the common message about online safety. Ongoing
education for all of these stakeholders would keep social media topics at top of mind. 
Lessons at school would help students and teachers build awareness. Opportunities for
ongoing parent education would be offered throughout the year at PTO meetings and/or
evening events.

This comprehensive plan to involve all stakeholders would certainly lead to increased
awareness around social media, more responsible digital citizens, an increase in parent
involvement around social media, and more positive ratings on the Comprehensive School
Climate Inventory in future years.  

Designing a Space for 21st Century Learning

 (Links to an external site.)

If the sky is the limit and budget did not need to be considered, this would be the ultimate learning space.  When it comes to designing the 21st-century classroom, you really have to design for a flexible and exciting space for students to learn.  The floorplan linked below and pictured above takes into account the following considerations:

• Accessibility - The classroom is designed for accessibility and flexibility.  Students can easily move around the room for various learning modalities.  While students sit at tables, each student has a storage drawer for books/supplies located in one of the Cascade storage units.  The classroom design allows for student engagement and collaboration and it accounts for various learning styles.  There is bench seating as well as carpet space to sit.  There are adjustable desks for students that prefer to stand.
• Electrical access would be planned along the walls as in typical classrooms.  Additionally, floor access points are under each of 5 tables in the center of the classroom.  Also, the Meridian wall storage has electrical access points on the ends of the units.
• Private and Collaborative Workspaces - Intersect tables on wheels are able to fold or open up for various work settings - collaborative or independent.  Students will also have access to adjustable desks for standing/sitting.  Additional seating allows for private or collaborative spaces on the sofas or bench seating integrated into the Meridian storage.  Floor space near the Cascade storage is accessible for small groups to work.  There is a table for small group work.  Tables can be combined for larger collaboration or folded for individual or partner collaboration or when more floor space is needed for presentations.  The adjustable tables can also be joined to make a small group workspace. 
• Display/Work Surfaces - There are several bulletin boards for displaying work.  There are various whiteboard surfaces around the room for the whole group or small group work.  Not only the wall-mounted whiteboards, but there are whiteboards on either side of the Cascade storage units as well - this alone allows whiteboard space for up to 4 small groups.  The table and desk surfaces are also made of materials so that dry erase markers can be used on their surfaces.
• Connectivity and Technology Access - This classroom is designed for 1:1 iPad use to allow for ease of creation with powerful built-in creation tools and camera/video recording capabilities.  It also allows for local collaboration through FaceTime.  iPads also have amazing accessibility features to meet the needs of various learning styles and students will special needs.  Students will have wifi internet access.  Charging stations are built into the Meridian storage systems.  Each student will have headphones purchased through school supply kits.  Each classroom will have 3 microphones that plug into the iPads for clear quality recording.
• A document camera and teacher device will be located in the Cascade Mid-case cart which can be used as a podium for presentations.  A projector would be mounted from the ceiling along with Apple TV box.  Wireless printing capabilities will be located at centralized school copier locations.  Students will have access to VR glasses for virtual field trips.
• Classroom Environment - Colors used will be inviting and colorful yet not distracting using white, blue, green and orange.  Desktop surfaces will be a neutral wood grain coloring using laminate surfaces that can also be written on using dry erase markers.  Lots of windows will let in natural light while energy-efficient LED lighting will provide any additional lighting needed within the classroom.  The furniture is all chosen to promote comfort, collaboration, and flexibility in the learning space.  
• Active Learning - The furniture and room design allow for active learning.  The furniture is flexible and easily movable.  There are various comfortable seating options from ergonomic chairs to comfy sofas to rocker stools and floor space.  Students can sit or stand at various table options.  Furniture can be moved for individualized work, partner work, small group collaborative work, or presentations.
• Students Engagement - The entire design of the classroom is meant to make students comfortable.  When students have a comfortable learning space they are more likely to engage in productive work or learning.  The inviting colors and furniture will draw kids in and the helpful technology will make learning more accessible, engaging, and fun for students.
• Goals for Teaching and Learning- My learning goals are always centered around the 4C's.  This classroom design allows for Communication and Collaboration.  I believe the colors and inviting furniture and easy access to technology foster Creativity so kids can engage in Critical Thinking.
• Student Engagement - From thinking about student comfort to accessibility, the entire classroom design is centered around student engagement. 

For more information about the furniture chosen in this plan, be sure to click the floorplan which has links to the specific furniture chosen.