February 2, 2012

Teaching discretion when it comes to use of personal digital technology in schools; Hilton High School allows the use of cell phones and other devices in certain "Free Use Zones"

For many years, the rule at Hilton High School was “Off and Away During the Day” for all personal electronic devices [PED] including mobile phones, iPods, laptops, tablets and iPads, MP3s, Droids, Netbooks, etc. All personal electronic devices brought to school had to be stowed in backpacks, purses and pockets. Today, the High School has taken an enlightened attitude toward the educational potential of digital technology as it continues to evolve into smaller devices with Internet access, mobile apps [applications] such as the iPhone's calculator application as well as other ways to enhance and extend students' learning and communication abilities.

How do high school students know when it is OK to use mobile devices? Each classroom at Hilton High School has a color poster of the signal light with a velcro-attached cell phone which is placed on Green, Red or Yellow as the situation requires. All students are permitted under school regulation and HCSD Acceptable Use Policy 6460 on Social Media to use their cell phones, tablets and other electronic devices in “Free Use Zones” such as within cafeterias, foyers and common areas of the building including hallways. “We are teaching both citizenship and discretion through the respectful use of these devices,” Principal Brian Bartalo says.

Red Room - All personal devices put away; tech tools provided by instructor; Yellow Room  All personal devices silenced unless directed by teacher; other tech tools available; Green Room - Personal electronic devices are OK to support learning during instruction

Following Policy 6460 "Acceptable Use of Social Media,” the High School School Improvement Team talked in earnest about lifting the cell phone ban and bringing personal electronic devices more correctly into the educational program. “We recoginize that we live in a global society where technology is available for communicating and accessing information,” Principal Brian Bartalo said, “and that the responsible use of electronic devices has a positive impact on student learning. We have significantly reduced referrals for discipline in this area and now see students more and more using their PEDs appropriately.

” The HCSD Policy on Social Media states: The District recognizes the value of teacher and professional staff inquiry, investigation and communication using new technology tools to enhance student learning experiences. The District also is committed to teaching responsible and safe use of these new technologies. Social media, including social networking sites have great potential to connect people around the globe and enhance communication. Therefore, the Board of Education encourages the use of District approved social media tools and the exploration of new and emerging technologies to supplement the range of communication and educational services.

For purposes of this Policy, the definition of public social media networks or Social Networking Sites (SNS) are defined to include: Web sites, Web logs (blogs), wikis, social networks, online forums, virtual worlds, and any other social media generally available to the school district community which do not fall within the District's electronic technology network (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, blog sites, etc.). The definition of District approved password-protected social media tools are those that fall within the District's electronic technology network or which the District has approved for educational use.

Within these internal forums, the District has greater authority and ability to protect minors from inappropriate content and can limit public access within these internal forums. The use of social media [whether public or internal] can generally be defined as Official District Use, Professional/Instructional Use and Personal Use. The definitions, uses and responsibilities will be further defined and differentiated in the Administrative Regulation.

Personal use of these media during District time or on District-owned equipment is permitted as long as such use does not interfere with an employee’s job duties. Privacy Rights: Staff data, communications, and use of the District Computer System [DCS] are not private. The Superintendent may access all such files and communication, and may monitor staff use of the DCS without prior notice to ensure system integrity and that users are complying with requirements of this policy and accompanying regulations.

For further information about HCSD Policy on Acceptable use of Computerized Information Services; for additional information, Principal Brian Bartalo may be reached at 585-392-1000 ext. 2021.