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