Body
By David Freitas, Janet Buckenmeyer, and Emily Hixon
Do we really need an entire book about school technology policies?
Our first reaction to Smarter Clicking: School Technology Policies That Work! was to ignore it. As we randomly glanced through some text, however, author Christopher Well convinced us otherwise. “The regulation of technology must be a top priority with many districts because students and teachers are finding ways to use technology that are not supporting the core business of teaching and learning.” We agree. These revolutionary new gadgets and gizmos directly and indirectly impact the educational enterprise.
Do your current policies proactively address this issue? Are the rights and responsibilities of users delineated? Do they appropriately balance constitutionally protected First Amendment rights while simultaneously limiting your legal liability? (Did you know that a school district can be held responsible for out of school “lapses in judgment” by school employees and students in some instances?)
Are your policies taken seriously by all members of your educational community and consistently enforced? “Policies and procedures, which may seem like the most trivial of all the central office or district functions, tend to carry a disproportional amount of weight when lawyers, auditors, and newspaper reporters are involved.” The recent media frenzy surrounding several sensational and salacious social networking “digital liaisons” involving students and teachers illuminates the need for strict adherence (assuming your policies are appropriately designed).
Lastly, we noticed that Smarter Clicking is a joint publication of Corwin Press, American Association of School Administrators, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. This sponsorship yields instinctive credibility.
Yes, this book is a needed resource. Wells believes that “creating solid, useful, and simple policies and procedures is a time-consuming process, and this book provides guidance to streamline the process and make the development of policies and procedures as simple as possible.” He clearly succeeds.An array of relevant issues are explored, from Acceptable Use Policies to YouTube. Here’s the stated focus of each chapter.
Chapter 1: Define the value of school technology policies and procedures and the importance of policies for instruction.
Chapter 2. Explore the growing need for more community involvement in the development and implementation of school technology policies and procedures.
Chapter 3. Identify the legal perspectives surrounding school-related information privacy and its impact on technology use.
Chapter 4. With all the funds being spent on K-12 technology, how can policies ensure the technology is being used appropriately?
Chapter 5. Explore methods for designing and implementing a student, staff, and community access strategy.
Chapter 6. Policies can support instructional internet use while discouraging less valuable uses.
Chapter 7. Determine the most appropriate methods for successfully implementing technology policies and procedures.
Chapter 8. Designing policies and procedures to meet the needs of emerging technologies.
Each chapter follows a common format: critical chapter questions; chapter focus; brief authentic case study; comprehensive text and practical advice on chapter topic; chapter summary; and references.
The final section, “Resources”, lists recommended essential points to be included in the following: Acceptable Use Policy; Information Access Policy; Internet Policy; and Technology Investment Protection Guidelines. This sage guidance is useful in reexamining your current policies against best practices.
Several features of this book are noteworthy. In Chapter 3, for example, Wells directly confronts personal privacy concerns. (Yes, the Internet can be a dangerous place.) Using relevant laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), he demonstrates how policies should be crafted to ensure legal compliance. He further offers common sense advice to protect personal confidential information not specifically shielded by law.
Wells also recognizes how technology policy and procedures can shape school culture. “The reality in many districts and schools is that policies are either over enforced to the point of making technology use difficult or neglected so that nobody knows what the real purpose or content of the policies are any more.” Are your current policies stimulating or inhibiting purposeful and meaningful technology use?
Wells’ final chapter, In My Crystal Ball I See . . . , is especially intriguing for those planning for the future. His “policy challenges of ubiquitous technology” soberly highlights what’s coming and how to prepare now.
Do we really need an entire book about school technology policies? Yes, we do and here it is!
Dr. David Freitas has served in a number of leadership positions throughout his career including College Dean at three Universities, Tenured University Professor, University Vice Provost, Public School Teacher/Administrator, State of Illinois Teacher Certification Board Member, State Department of Education Official, and Elected City School Board Member. He is a frequent national and international presenter and author.
Janet Buckenmeyer, Ph.D., a former elementary school teacher, is currently a tenured Associate Professor and Chair of the Masters of Instructional Technology Program at Purdue University Calumet. She has published and presented nationally and internationally on various topics, with a primary focus on instructional technology and design.
Dr. Emily Hixon is an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology at Purdue University Calumet. Her research projects have focused on the effective integration of technology at both the K-12 and higher education levels.
