Policy manual

[Claire Rimmer]

Found quite a good policy manual that could be modified to suit QA;

http://www.pierre.k12.sd.us/DISTRICT_FORMS/LaptopPolicy.pdf

[Julie Lindsay]

Claire, this is very interesting and very comprehensive. We can definately use a lot of the material and adapt it. This school has district-purchased laptops (tablets) and therefore has quite dictatorial policies however I agree that we need to be very firm and clear as to use of and expectations with the devices.

But one problem is once you set up policies you can spend a lot of time and energy enforcing them when as educators we also need to be spending time and energy on creative curriculum development and delivery.

What thoughts do others have? Please join this discussion.

[Robyn Hardy]

I think its gives us a good place to start, brings up a f ew issues that I personally would not have thought about.
Thanks Claire!

[Mike Boulanger]

Good find,Claire! Definitely some good information we can use. It does seem a bit dictatorial as Julie mentioned; this comes from district ad state policy making I'd guess. Id like to see our guidelines be more curriculum/learning focussed, with more do's than don'ts. We could encourage or expect teachers to be applying the use of resources to meet a recognized international set of expectations like ISTE's NETS for Teachers. -- "define the fundamental concepts, knowledge, skills, and attitudes for applying technology in educational settings." There is even one designed to help Administrators understand their role and expectations. -- "Effectively using technology across all functions of a school system is, in itself, significant systemic reform. There is a wealth of evidence showing that facilitating change in schools, and especially maintaining that change, depends heavily on capable leadership. It is imperative, therefore, that we focus on leadership for technology in schools if we are to optimize its benefits in learning, teaching, and school operations." Effective shcool leadership through technology