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Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

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The West Hartford Public School District is committed to creating a rigorous and engaging learning environment for all students and staff. It is part of our core values to provide students with environments that foster and encourage innovative learning. All members of our learning community hold the responsibility to value technology and achieve technological proficiency to prepare our students for future jobs, which currently may not exist. Schools must challenge students with rigorous, personalized academic experiences, foster innovation and creativity, and embrace emerging technologies. Students actively engage in a cohesively integrated curriculum, access information, and apply it in solving authentic problems.

Many students have personally owned devices that can be used to help maximize their opportunity for success in school and beyond. These technologies, when properly used, promote educational excellence in the District by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. We believe that the tremendous value of technology and the information technology network as an educational resource far outweighs the potential risks. These program guidelines focus on using technologies as educational tools to enhance the teaching and learning experience, consistent with the West Harford Public Schools Mission, Values and Goals. BYOD Parent/Student User Agreement

For the purposes of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), “Device” means a privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic piece of equipment that can be used for word processing, wireless Internet access, image capture and recording, sound recording, information transmitting and/or receiving and storing. These devices may include, but are not limited to, personal laptops, smartphones, iPads or other tablet computers, network access devices, e-Readers, and cellular phones. No gaming devices are allowed (to include: Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable PSP, etc.). If you are uncertain whether or not your device meets the criteria to be used for BYOD, please see your building administrator.

The District provides a filtered, wireless network available to students for instructional purposes. In accordance with federal guidelines, this network has filtering software that blocks access to material that are inappropriate for students or harmful to minors, as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act And Child Online Protection Act.

Privately owned technological devices may not be used during instructional time, except as specifically permitted by instructional staff. Students and visitors are required to register personal devices on the WHPS network and agree to the WHPS Administrative Guidelines for the Use of Technology.

If a student does not have parental permission to use the Internet and/or online services, teachers will make a reasonable effort to provide an alternative assignment covering the same content standards contained in the Internet based instruction. In the event that equivalent instruction cannot be reasonably provided, an alternative assignment will be given to the student.

Staff is responsible for providing guidelines for Internet use by students. Here is an example of the Responsible Use Guidelines for elementary schools. Staff are responsible for supervising student access to the Internet and ensuring that access is being used for educational purposes and in accordance with the Guidelines for Acceptable Use. This is really no different than staff having been responsible that students were taking notes and not passing notes, or reading texts and not magazines, during class. The vehicle to the knowledge has simply changed. Each building clarifies “electronic etiquette” and expectations for their school community consistent with goals and grade levels. These expectations include expectations for common areas and non-academic settings.

Student FAQ's for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Teacher FAQ's for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Parent FAQ's for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)