Technology Policy

Technology Policy

Board Policy No. 239 Section PUPILS, PROFESSIONAL STAFF

1. Purpose

Use of Technology

The use of computers and technology in the Central Bucks School District is designed to have a positive impact on curriculum and instruction for all students. Technology will be used:

Within the curriculum to enhance student learning and achievement

To assist students in becoming competent in the use of technology, with an increasing degree of sophistication as they move from level to level

As a tool to enhance creativity and encourage the completion of quality products

To access technology-based information relevant to curriculum topics

Proper Use of Computers and Networks

The Central Bucks School District has established this policy to ensure maximum access and security for all users of the district’s computers and local and wide area networks, and to prevent violations of software license agreements.

2. Guidelines

Teacher Guidelines

Teachers may not introduce information, including software applications or documents, on any district computer system without first insuring compliance with copyright laws. District software cannot be copied for home use unless specified by publisher.

Teachers will assist the proper operation of the district networks and computers by adhering to district guidelines pertaining to the security of the district network and computers.

Teachers will assist the proper operation of the district networks by not connecting or disconnecting computers or other devices, by not altering file or folder names, and by not changing access/security levels without approval.

Teachers may not use any network or computing resources to gain unauthorized access to other networks or computing resources.

Teachers may not use the district network, computer devices, or other resources for personal activities.

Student Guidelines

Students may not introduce information, including software applications or documents, on any district computer system without first obtaining staff approval and copyright compliance. All disks must be run through a virus program prior to use on any district computer system.

No student will connect any device to, or disconnect any device from, a computer or peripheral device, or the district’s local or wide area network.

Students will not change or in any way alter a network device, device or peripheral name, file or folder name, or network zone.

Students are prohibited from copying software applications, folders, or files to floppy disks without first obtaining staff approval and copyright compliance. Copying of any of the above will only be for the purpose of curriculum related projects.

Passwords may be assigned for each student and are for the individual use by that student. Distribution or alteration of a password is prohibited.

Proper Use of the Internet

The Central Bucks School District has established this policy to allow access to the information resources available through the Internet. The District expects that staff will blend thoughtful use of such information throughout the curriculum and will provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of such resources.

Teacher Internet Guidelines

Teachers and staff as registered users of an Internet account are responsible for the appropriate use of this resource.

In selecting materials from the Internet for classroom use, teachers will use the same guidelines as they do for selecting other instructional materials for classroom use.

As registered users of an Internet account, teachers and staff must follow the current guidelines as states in the Central Bucks Internet Access Agreement for Teachers developed by the District.

Student Internet Guidelines

Student use of the Internet is designed to enhance learning and provide access to educational resources beyond those that are available in any one school. Student use of the Internet is a privilege with students expected to limit their use of this resource only to information directly related to the content of courses being studied or other approved topics.

In using the Internet, students must follow the current guidelines as stated in the Central Bucks Technology Use Agreement for Students developed by the District.

Violations of the items related to the listed may result in disciplinary action. Further, serious violations may be punishable under Pennsylvania criminal statutes [18 PA. C.S. 3933 (a) (1)] covering unlawful access, altering or damaging any computer system, network, software or database, with the intent to interrupt the normal functioning of an organization. In addition, disclosing a password, deliberately and without authorization to a computer system or network is also punishable by state statutes [18 PA C.S. 3933 (a) (2) and (3)].