Monday 6 July 2015

Technology + DSBN Policy

As it is the summer, I had to do some behind-the-scenes work to find the information needed for this blog post.  Again, a special thank you to Lee Martin for his assistance with DSBN contacts!

Current policies regarding technology and the DSBN:


Digital Technology Use by Students


Digital Technology Use by Staff



Click to enlarge

DSBN policies are created in an attempt to ensure that the board is complying with standardized procedures.  The policies are created by a team of consultants, and are regularly updated.  Specifically, each policy has a Review Date whereby it will be examined and revisions will be made to address any new procedures that may need to be added, removed, or modified.

Keeping Teachers Safe Online:

The opening line of policy E-5 reads "It is the policy of the District School Board of Niagara to provide safe and secure digital technology in support of education, research and Board business in a manner consistent with the Board’s Mission, Vision and Values."  This is accompanied by a responsibility to use technology appropriately, and the policy is clear about teachers being held accountable for online actions if technology is not used in a respectful and lawful manner.  


Image result for online safety

Here are a couple of ideas about how teachers can keep themselves safe online:

  1. Use password protection
  2. Keep professional and personal life separate
  3. Do a Google search of yourself regularly
  4. Use common sense - trust your gut
  5. Keep a record of emails/online contact with others

1 comment:

  1. I wonder how many people Google Search themselves. Great Idea adding that one in . One might also add - Use only WORK email with students and do not have a "closed" or "private" social media account (twitter, instagram) if you plan on "friending" students. I might also note that Teachers that are weary of using Social Media or having any Footprint at all might be setting themselves up for problems in the future. Teachers are generally working in the public eye and "we" will have others tweet about us, blog about us, facebook about us and take pictures of us whether we like it or not. My point - We need to control our own digital footprint safety and model this with our students so that our DIGITAL selves are not being driven by those around us.

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