During a meeting on July 7, the Plymouth School Board heard an update on the way in which any misuse of technology will be handled during the school year. The Plymouth Schools offer 1:1 technology for students use at every grade level.
Speaking on the changes was Elementary Instructional Coach, Allison Holland. Holland outlined the Responsible Use Policy (RUP) and the newly developed tier system. The tier system was designed by administrators and the technology department to protect students as well as the corporation if there are instances of harmful or illegal usage.
Holland said, “We thought that we needed something that would put responsibility back on the student, not necessarily on the teacher to kind of figure out what that student is going to do when they don’t have their computer, but more on the student reflecting on their behaviors.”
After the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Andy Hartley said, “There are two different areas we are looking at either responsible use or damage to the machines.”
Previously the policy contained language about damages to computers while the student was not at school. Bruce Johnson, director of technology, said it was a loophole that students were using in the case of damages. He said that now an invoice will be for the specific damage.
Holland said that students will start on a basic tier that would be for anything they need at school. If there are problems, students’ access would drop to a tier I where they would have no internet access. Additional misuse could result in being moved to a tier zero. Students would have access to a PDF version of textbooks. Several classes do not use the traditional hard cover books, but have access to the books online.
Holland indicated that the new measures are being implemented to cut down on undesirable student behaviors. She said, “The goal is that they just take responsibility for their actions and they realize that what they do online lasts longer than that split second of what they do online.”
To be reinstated to a higher tier, students might be given an assignment to videotape themselves speaking on their misuse that would be sent to a principal for review. Hartley said “The intent behind this is to provide an opportunity for students to learn from the mistakes they made.” “If students wish to have more online access, then they have to complete an online module with an assignment in order to demonstrate their ability to use the device responsible. If students demonstrate unacceptable use, then they will be further restricted in the level of access they have.” He indicated that teachers, administrators, parents and students must all work together.
Students considered more responsible can be moved to a tier 3 or 4 by a principal that would give them internet access within reason.
The Board did not take any further action on the matter since RUP language was already a part of the student handbook.
Carol Anders Correspondent
