Use School Technology Wisely Computers serve as powerful tools to transform and enhance classroom instruction. Whether you’re surfing the Web or e-mailing colleagues, technology gives you an invaluable means to further your professional development. Technology, however, creates a new set of hazards for educators. Keep these tips in mind when you access the Internet or use e-mail: n
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Check to see if your district has an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for Internet and e-mail use. Your district might have separate policies for student use and employee use of technology. The AUP should define where, when and how long school employees may use school computers and network services. Do not access, receive or transmit anything that can be interpreted as obscene or pornographic. Do not use your school’s computers for anything not permitted in the AUP. Grades, IEPs and all other private data must be secured, even on a computer. Just as you wouldn’t leave your grade books sitting on your desk, don’t leave your computer data unprotected. Do not expect your e-mail to be private. Do not send anything you wouldn’t want read by your employer. The school district —your employer — owns and controls the e-mail system. Even deleted e-mails can be retrieved, and used in lawsuits. Do not send any confidential or private e-mails at work. You might be held responsible for inappropriate student use of the Internet or e-mail. Check to see if your district has a “reasonable supervision” standard, because it is impossible to supervise student Internet use at all times. If your district makes the teacher responsible for all student use of the Internet, contact your OEA UniServ consultant. Do not use school computers for commercial purposes, such as promoting a summer business you operate.
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