Policy 6163.4 - Student Use of Technology

Student Use of Technology

The Board of Education intends that technological resources provided by the district be used in a safe, responsible, and proper manner in support of the instructional program and for the advancement of student learning.

The Superintendent or designee shall notify students and parents/guardians about authorized uses of district computers, user obligations and responsibilities, and consequences for unauthorized use and/or unlawful activities in accordance with district regulations and the district’s Acceptable Use Agreement.

District technology includes, but is not limited to, computers, the district's computer network including servers and wireless computer networking technology (wi-fi), the Internet, email, USB drives, wireless access points (routers), tablet computers, smartphones and smart devices, telephones, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, pagers, MP3 players, wearable technology, any wireless communication device including emergency radios, and/or future technological innovations, whether accessed on or off site or through district-owned or personally owned equipment or devices.

In order to enhance the safety and security of students using the district’s technological resources and to help ensure that the district adapts to changing technologies and circumstances; this policy, the accompanying administrative regulation and other relevant procedures will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis by the Superintendent or designee with the input from students and appropriate staff.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that all district computers with Internet access have a technology protection measure that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors and that the operation of such measures is enforced.

To reinforce these measures, the Superintendent or designee shall implement rules and procedures designed to restrict students’ access to harmful or inappropriate matter on the Internet and to ensure that students do not engage in unauthorized or unlawful online activities. Staff shall supervise students while they are using online services and may have teacher aides or volunteers assist in this supervision.

As use of technologies are permitted (email, chat rooms, and other forms of direct communication), the Superintendent or designee shall establish regulations to address the safety and security of students and student information when using such tools.

The Superintendent or designee shall provide age-appropriate instruction regarding safe and appropriate behavior on social networking sites, chat rooms, and other Internet services. Such instruction shall include, but not be limited to, the dangers of posting personal information online, misrepresentation by online predators, how to report inappropriate or offensive content or threats, behaviors that constitute cyberbullying, and how to respond when subjected to cyberbullying.

Student use of district computers to access social networking sites is prohibited. To the extent possible, the Superintendent or designee shall block access to such sites on district computers with Internet access.

Technology will be used to empower district students, and staff with the ability to create a new breadth of learning. This environment will facilitate the integration of technology across the curriculum to support learning, problem solving, critical thinking, creative expression and assessment with the most recent tools.

The Board believes these technologies will assist students to:

• Access the resources, materials and tools that best fit their learning needs and styles
• Become self-motivated, self-directed and actively involved in their learning
• Acquire, evaluate, organize, use and communicate information
• Become lifelong learners
• Work with others, and become effective citizens and community contributors
• Reach their educational potential and prepare for transition from school to work or an institution for higher learning

Staff Use of Technology

All teachers and instructional staff will:

• Use contemporary technologies and tools that encourage productive, effective and professional instruction and class management.
• Be provided with staff development opportunities to master the technologies and tools that add value to their professional work.

The Board recognizes that all teachers and instructional staff must be trained to appropriately use the technologies available to them. Each school shall develop a Technology Plan using the district’s technology plan as its basis and shall have the opportunity to obtain computers, software and other related technology equipment to implement that plan.

Lodi Unified School District strongly believes in the educational value of such electronic services and recognizes the potential of such to support curriculum and student learning in the district. The district’s goal is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

Training for appropriate use will be required of staff before access to the Lodi Unified School District network is allowed. Staff must sign a user contract that delineates user obligations and responsibilities. All users must avoid inappropriate and illegal interaction on the network. Individual users of the district computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over those networks. Employees and students have no expectations of privacy for any information stored on or passing through the network.

Staff and Student Expectations

Lodi Unified School District will make every effort to protect students and teachers from any misuses or abuses as a result of their experiences with an information service; however, the district cannot be responsible for restricting, monitoring or controlling communications of all individuals utilizing the network at any time. Students and staff who fail to abide by the regulations established in this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action as stated in the school/district student code of conduct, financial liability, revocation of on-line privileges and computer access, and legal action as appropriate. In addition, should the district face legal action or incur liability as a result of unacceptable student use of the network, the parents will be responsible for the cost of defending, indemnifying and holding the district harmless.

Unacceptable use of the network includes, but is not limited to:

• Sending or receiving or soliciting to receive messages, images or documents that are inconsistent with school or district policies, guidelines, or codes of conduct
• Using profanity, obscenity or other language that may be offensive to other users, including racist, inflammatory, or sexist messages
• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
• Harassing, insulting or attacking others
• Use of the network for commercial, illegal, inappropriate, or obscene purposes
• Violation of copyrights
• Seeking to gain unauthorized access to resources or entities
• Use of another’s password
• Forging electronic mail messages
• Invading the privacy of others
• Sending or receiving any personal information, including photographs, and names without prior written consent
• Creating, distributing or activating a computer “virus or worm”
• Damaging computer equipment, computer systems or computer networks
• Intentionally disrupting traffic on the network and connected systems
• Intentionally wasting district resources
• Accessing the Internet in any manner that results in monetary expense to the District
• Gaining unauthorized access to or attempting to change district, student or school information or records
• Attempting to persuade, entice or coerce a minor to engage in prostitution or any sexual act is a criminal offense. Should a student receive such communication, it is to be reported to a teacher or administrator
• Accessing the Internet for personal use during the times the employee is assigned to perform work