On June 5, 2012, the School Board approved changes to policy and regulations that allow all students to use their own electronic devices in an academic setting in order to access the school division’s wireless network. BYOD guidelines are also available for review.
Does the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) include BYOD?
The BYOD guidelines are a part of the AUP and the sign-off by students and parents at the beginning of the school year.
How will an administrator have the ability to revoke a students’ BYOD privilege?
If a student is not following the developed guidelines for the use of his or her personally owned device, an administrator can revoke the privilege through the regular discipline process.
How can a teacher or staff member tell if a student is using a 3G/4G wireless connection to the Internet rather than the school division’s wireless access?
While it can be difficult to tell at times, if a staff member sees a student accessing a website that is typically blocked from the VBCPS network, the student is likely on 3G/4G connection. The quickest way to help enforce this is by observing what students are accessing.
How will theft, loss, or damage of a personally owned device be handled in a school?
The guidelines for the BYOD program specifically address the risk of students bringing their own devices to school. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.
Is the wireless connection, VBCPSChannel, broadcast so that devices can connect easily?
The use of VBCPSChannel is for meeting educational and administrative needs and its availability is communicated only to the intended audience and hence not broadcast to be seen by all.
Is the wireless access filtered?
The wireless Internet access available through VBCPSChannel will be filtered in at a level similar to that of an elementary school student.
Is there technical assistance provided to access the wireless network?
Since there are literally hundreds of devices that could be brought to school as part of the BYOD program, there is no technical assistance provided other than providing the name of the wireless connection. Students will be expected to know how to connect their devices.
Are students able to recharge devices during the school day?
Students are not permitted and should not have the expectation that they will be able to charge devices at school. Many school buildings do not have the capacity to handle additional electrical demands for charging personally owned devices.
Are students able to use ear buds or other types of headsets?
Students may use these during class with the permission of the teacher or administrator.
Are students able to record teachers or classmates (audio or video) or take a photograph?
With the permission of the teacher or administrator, students can make recordings or take a photograph. The use of such recordings or photos is restricted to classroom projects only as authorized by the teacher and with a signed media release if students are included in either the photo or recording.
Can teachers require students to bring their own devices?
No. Students are not required to participate in the BYOD program.
Can students use their devices before or after school? During lunch? In the library media center?
The administration at each school will determine which, if any, locations other than the classroom setting that personally owned devices can be used during the instructional day. However, if the use of the device causes disruption in the specific setting, the student can be directed to put it away.
Can students use another student’s device?
Because of the inherent nature of personally owned devices, devices should only be used by the owner of the device. Usually, having physical access to a personal device also provides the ability to email or text message from the device.
How will students be able to print?
Students will not have the capability to print from their devices in school.
How will students access network resources such as computer lab folders and Kidswork?
Students will not be able to access network resources such as computer lab folders and Kidswork but will be able to access SharePoint.
How will teachers prevent students from just texting their friends or just surfing the Web?
Students should be instructed to put devices away when they are not completing a specific instructional task. Teachers should always be mindful of what students are doing during class.