Acceptable Technology Usage Policy

This policy is made in conjunction with the Learning and Technology Policy Framework (2013) put out by
Alberta Education. Our classroom is dependent upon digital technology supporting student-centered
learning. Technology is needed to engage students and to assist them in becoming designers and
creators of knowledge. It is therefore essential that this classroom protects and maintains the
availability, integrity, and usage of its technology. Any misunderstandings should be queried and
checked with your teacher.

This policy describes:
- what is regarded as Acceptable and Unacceptable and Prohibited use of the classroom
technology
- what students and teachers and visitors are, and are not, allowed to use technology for, from a
classroom/school point of view
- the limited extent to which personal use is allowed
- what the teacher believes to be reasonable use of technology

Internet

Acceptable
- accessing school-work related web sites in relation to the students assignment
- accessing web sites (OTHER than those containing pornographic, offensive or obscene material)
for non-school related reasons during lunch hours, breaks, before or after the school day

Unacceptable
- spending any amount of class time looking at non-school related internet sites
- tying up large proportions of internet resources on non-school related activity, to the detriment
of genuine school related internet usage. This includes:
o leaving live internet feeds open all day, e.g. news, sports, videos
o accessing, downloading, or storing images, videos or audio streams for non-school
related purposes
o making repeated attempts to access web sites that, because of their inappropriate
content, have been automatically blocked
o making your own password/personal ID available, or using someone elses
password/personal ID to access the internet
o disclosing your own or anyone elses password/personal ID to anyone
o using web-based mail services unless there is a school-work need, e.g. Hotmail
o Making inaccurate, discriminatory, defamatory or adverse comments about any school
or individual, either internal or external

Prohibited
- abuse of school logo or name
- downloading software used for hacking or cracking passwords
- deliberately accessing sites containing pornographic, offensive or obscene material
- saving, storing or forwarding any non-school related files or attachments which could be
regarded as:
o defamatory
o harassment, victimization or bullying
o abusive or offensive
o pornographic or obscene
o illegal
- downloading peer-to-peer and interactive chat utilities
PCs, Laptops and Servers

Acceptable
- storing school-work related data
- running school supplied software
- loading text, images, video or audio streams in connection with school-work
- storing limited amounts of personal data

Unacceptable
- loading or running of unauthorized, untested or unlicensed software
- loading any software without the prior consent of your teacher
- installing screen savers that do not reflect school professional standards
- any misuse of school resources, equipment or facilities to access, store, download or distribute
non-school related information

Prohibited
- loading files containing pornographic, offensive or obscene content, whether in text, image,
video or audio format
- saving or storing any non-school related files or attachments which could be regarded as:
o defamatory
o harassment, victimization or bullying
o abusive or offensive
o pornographic or obscene
o illegal
- sending or commenting upon school-related information outside of the school inappropriately

Cell Phones

Acceptable
- students with a cell phone pairing up with another student who does not have a cell phone
- practice of internet safety with online resources
- posting appropriate text, audio and visual media to online websites
- cell phones in the classroom, but switched off and out of sight during classroom lessons,
exceptions may be permitted only in exceptional circumstances if a parent/guardian requests it
(such requests will be handled on a case-by-case- basis)
- camera, video, internet, music, and blogging for school-work purposes when express permission
has been given by the teacher

Unacceptable
- talking on the cell phone at any point during class time without permission
- sending text messages, pictures, video or audio messages to others outside of the classroom
- disruption of classroom lessons with ringtones, music or beeping
- using vulgar, derogatory or obscene language while using a cell phone

Prohibited
- recording or posting still or moving images or voices of students or the teacher without
permission from the teacher
- using cell phones to cully and threaten other students in some cases this can constitute
criminal behaviour
- ganging up on another student and using their cell phone to take videos and pictures of acts to
humiliate that student this can be a criminal offense
- any use of cells phones in change rooms or toilets or any situation that may cause
embarrassment or discomfort to their fellow students, staff or visitors to the school
- using a mobile phone to cheat in exams or assessments

For the purposes of this Policy, the decision on what may be considered to be offensive will be made by
the teacher, acting on behalf of the school. The schools decision on whether or not something is
offensive or obscene will be considered final and action will be taken accordingly.

Devices may be provided by the classroom to enable students to learn and to develop understanding of
technology. Some personal use of the devices is accepted, however, this must be within the bounds of
reasonableness. At all times, at the teachers discretion, such use can be withdrawn and must not
conflict with the schools need for the devices. The frequency, number, time of day and amount of use
will be at the discretion of the teacher. As a general guide, if there is any doubt about what is regarded
as Unacceptable, Offensive, or Obscene use of company facilities, students should seek guidance
from their teacher.

The teacher reserves the right to monitor all internet activity on its devices, including any activities
which may have been marked as private or personal. Teachers must ensure that all internet users are
notified of this.

Consequences

Students who infringe the rules set out in this document could face having their personal devices
confiscated by the teacher.
- On the first infringement of this document, the personal device would be confiscated by the
teacher, placed in a sealed envelope with the student signature across the seal. The envelope
will then be placed in a basket in a secure location (the appropriate location will be determined
by administration). The student will be able to collect the device at the end of the school day
and a record will be made of the incident. A letter will also be sent to the parent/guardian to
inform them of the incident to be returned with a signature.
- On the second infringement of this document, the personal device would be confiscated by the
teacher and placed in the secure location. Parent/guardian will be notified and the student will
not be permitted to collect the phone without the consent of a parent/guardian. If a
parent/guardian is unable to attend the school, they are permitted to phone and give verbal
consent for their child to collect the phone. They must speak to the administration or teacher.
The incident will be recorded.
- On the third infringement of this document, the personal device would be confiscated by the
teacher and taken to the secure location. Parents will be notified and the student will not be
permitted to collect the phone without a parent/guardian present. After the third infringement,
the school with withdraw the agreement to allow the student to bring the personal device to
school.
- As previously mentioned, failure to heed the rules set out in this document may result in an
alleged incident being referred to the police for investigation. In such cases, the
parent/guardian would be notified immediately.

Students who infringe the rules set out in this document could face being prohibited to use the devices
provided by the school.
- On the first infringement of this document, the device provided by the school would be
confiscated by the teacher. A record will be made of the incident. A letter will also be sent to
the parent/guardian to inform them of the incident to be returned with a signature. The
student will be able to use the school devices again once the letter has been returned with a
signature and a record will be made of the incident.
- On the second infringement of this document, the device provided by the school would be
confiscated by the teacher. Parent/guardian will be notified and the student will not be
permitted to use the school devices without the consent of a parent/guardian. If a
parent/guardian is unable to attend the school, they are permitted to phone and give verbal
consent for their child to continue usage of school devices. They must speak to the
administration or teacher. The incident will be recorded.
- On the third infringement of this document, device provided by the school would be confiscated
by the teacher. After the third infringement, the school with withdraw the agreement to allow
the student to use devices provided by the school.
- As previously mentioned, failure to heed the rules set out in this document may result in an
alleged incident being referred to the police for investigation. In such cases, the
parent/guardian would be notified immediately.


I __________________________________________ understand that violation of our class acceptable
technology usage policy may result in my not being able to participate in additional class activities that
involve using technology. I also understand that I may receive disciplinary consequences for violating
school board policies regarding cyber-bullying.


I __________________________________________ have gone over the acceptable technology usage
policy with my child and agree to allow my child to participate in class activities involving cell phones
and other devices, even if my child does not have their own device to use.


Parent's/Guardian's signature __________________________________________

Student's signature __________________________________________________

Teacher's signature __________________________________________________

Other Comments or Questions:___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________