Protocol for the Use of Technology in Houston County School System Pilot
As new technologies continue to change the world in which we live, they also provide many new and positive educational benefits for classroom instruction. To encourage this growth, students in select classes at
Protocol for the Use of Technology in Houston County School System Pilot
As new technologies continue to change the world in which we live, they also provide many new and positive educational benefits for classroom instruction. To encourage this growth, students in select classes at pilot schools may now bring their own devices beginning April 15 at participating high schools (NHS and HCHS) and April 29 at participating middle and elementary schools (FMMS and MAES) through the end of the school year. Each school will notify parents of the pilot program parameters at their schools. The purpose of this pilot is to have groups of students across several schools explore and work through any issues with our current infrastructure and test connectivity to our WIFI network available for student access. Students who do not have their own device to bring to school will not be penalized. Please do not feel obligated to go out and purchase a device for your child. Students will be encouraged to work collaboratively while allowing the owner of the device to be the one to manipulate and handle the device.
Definition of “Device”
For purposes of B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Device), “device” means a privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic hand held equipment that includes, but is not limited to, existing and emerging mobile communication systems and smart technologies, portable internet devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), hand held entertainment systems or portable information technology systems that can be used for word processing, wireless Internet access, image capture/recording, sound recording and information transmitting/receiving/storing, etc.
Only the internet gateway (HCBE_BYOD) provided by the school should be accessed while on campus. Personal internet connective devices such as but not limited to cell phones / cell network adapters should not be used to access outside internet sources at any time.
Security and Damages
Responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the individual owner. The Houston County School System, its staff and its employees, are not liable for any device stolen or damaged on campus. If a device is stolen or damaged, it will be handled through the administrative office similar to other personal artifacts that are impacted in similar situations. It is recommended that skins (decals) and other custom touches are used to physically identify your device from others. Additionally, protective cases for technology are encouraged.
B.Y.O.D. Student Agreement
Students and parents/guardians participating in B.Y.O.D. must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as all Board policies, particularly Internet Acceptable Use (Policy IFBG) and Internet Safety (Policy IFBGE). Additionally, technology:
· Must not be in use or visible outside of pilot classrooms while on school campuses and while riding school buses.
· May not be used to cheat on assignments or tests, or for non-instructional purposes (such as making personal phone calls and text/instant messaging).
· May not be used to record, transmit or post photographic images or video of a person, or persons on campus during school activities and/or after hours for sharing outside of educational purposes in the classroom.
· May only be used to access files on computer or internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum. Games are not permitted.
Students acknowledge that:
· The school's network filters will be applied to one's connection to the internet and attempts will not be made to bypass them.
· Bringing on premises or infecting the network with a Virus, Trojan, or program designed to damage, alter, destroy, or provide access to unauthorized data or information is in violation of Policy IFBG.
· Processing or accessing information on school property related to “hacking”, altering, or bypassing network security policies is in violation of policy IFBG.
· The school district has the right to collect and examine any device that is suspected of causing problems or was the source of an attack or virus infection.
· Printing from personal laptops will not be possible at school.
· Personal technology is charged prior to bringing it to