BCPS Student Device Orientation Updated July 2016

Creating Learner-Centered Environments Teacher Student Space BCPS is focusing on teachers creating a learner-centered environment in the classroom. A learner-centered focuses on the areas of teacher, space, and student.

Teacher In a learner centered environment a teacher is responsive to individual student needs. The device assists in that process by enabling content to be customized and personalized and provides real time feedback to the student.

Space A second area of focus is using the physical space to support the instructional outcomes. Notice that the students have a large input into how their classroom is designed and utilized based on their needs.

Student The learner-centered classroom focuses on students, allowing them to take ownership of their learning by having choice. Students are encouraged to collaborate in real world learning activities and to use their new knowledge to create innovative products.

Device Use & Care The student’s device is one tool that helps create these learner-centered environments. Let’s take a look at the BCPS expectations for the use and care of these devices.

Device & Accessories BCPS Issued Bag HP Revolve Device Power Cord Each student will be assigned a device along with a power cord and a BCPS Issued Bag. Power Cord

Device Use Students will use the same device throughout the school year and turn it in to be updated over the summer. If students withdraw, they will turn in their device and all accessories (BCPS issued bag and power cord). Students will be charged if all accessories are not returned. The device assigned to each student will be theirs to use throughout the school year. At the end of the school year all students will turn in their devices to updated over the summer. Students will be given the same device to use during the next school year and they will use the same device throughout 7th & 8th grade. If students withdraw from the school they must turn in their device and accessories including the BCPS issued bag, and power cord. Devices must be turned in if students are leaving BCPS or transferring to another BCPS school.

Device Use All devices have web-filtering software installed. Students will be expected to care for and use devices appropriately at school and at home according to the guidelines in the Technology Acceptable Use Policy (TAUP) for Students Students will receive direct instruction in digital citizenship including online safety, security, and responsible use. All devices have web-filtering software installed. These web-filters keep students from visiting sites that are not appropriate for school. This includes social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The web-filters will block the same websites in school, at home, or at any other location (public library, McDonald’s, etc.) Students are expected to follow the guidelines for using technology explained in the Technology Acceptable Use Policy (TAUP) for Students. This includes student use of the device at school and at home. Students will receive instruction about being a good digital citizen. Digital citizenship instruction will teach students about safe, secure, and responsible use of technology.

Device Care Students are expected to bring their device to school everyday, fully charged. Devices should always be transported in the BCPS issued bag. BCPS issued bag is intended for the device and its accessories ONLY. The device and bag should not be decorated or altered. The empty bag can be machine washed. Students should charge their device at home each night to prepare for the next day. A full charge will take 2-3 hours. Power cords should be left at home. There are not enough outlets in each classroom to accommodate every student charging his or her device. This will also avoid having cords in the classroom that could create trip hazards. If students forget to charge their device at home there will be a few charging stations they can use. When students transport their device, it should be placed in the BCPS issued bag. This includes transporting the device from home to school and class to class. The BCPS issued bag is intended to hold the device and its accessories only. This will keep the device from being damaged. The device and bag should not be decorated or altered. This will help increase the life and usefulness of the bag.

Accessing the Internet Internet can be accessed using an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi. Baltimore County Public Libraries have the BCPS wireless network available. Each device can access the Internet using an Ethernet cord or Wi-Fi connection. There are tutorial videos students can access to help them with connecting to the Internet at home. We will review how to access these videos shortly. Baltimore County Public Libraries have the BCPS wireless network available for student use. The Sollers Point Branch will have the BCPS network added later this year. You may choose to mention this point if this is a branch your students would frequent.

Accessing the Internet Many business offer free Wi-Fi access. Many local businesses offer free Wi-Fi access that students can use. Remember the web-filters on the device will block the same websites outside of school as they would in school. When students use the Wi-Fi at these businesses they still will not be able to access certain sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Technical Support Tutorial videos are available on each device and can be accessed at home by launching Internet Explorer. Technical support will be available at school to provide assistance. There are tutorial videos available on each device that students can view to help them with using the device, including how to connect to the Internet. (Demonstrate how to access the videos by clicking on the picture.) Explain that these videos can be accessed by opening Internet Explorer and students do not need to be on the Internet in order to view the videos. The school will also have a help desk available during the school day to help students with any technical issues they have with the device.

Device Management Protocols Now that we’ve reviewed the device care and use expectations, we will now transition into discussing the student and parent responsibilities related to the device.

Intentional Damage (vandalism) Accidental Damage Intentional Damage (vandalism) includes liquid spills, drops, and collisions. repair or replacement will be covered by BCPS. thrown devices, striking the screen picking off keys accessing, modifying, or destroying equipment, programs, files, or settings (Student Handbook – TAUP – Student Responsibilities). replacement will not be covered by BCPS. students may be charged for damage to devices. All BCPS issued devices include a warranty against accidental damage. If a device is dropped or has something spilled on it accidentally, the device will be replaced by BCPS. The warranty does not cover intentional damage or vandalism. Vandalism includes throwing a device, striking the screen, picking off keys, and/or modifying computer settings which cause internal damage. In the case of vandalism, a police report will be filed and the replacement device would not be covered by BCPS.

Intentional Damage (Vandalism) Reporting Damages Accidental Damage Intentional Damage (Vandalism) Student writes a statement for the school administration. School administration reviews statement. If the administration concurs it was accidental damage the device will be repaired. If the administration does not concur, the case is handled as vandalism. The school administration follows BCPS rules and policies related to vandalism as indicated in the Student Handbook. When reporting any damages, students will first be asked to write a statement for the school administration. The administration will review the statement to determine if the damage is considered accidental or intentional. If the damage is considered accidental, then BCPS will issue a new device to the student. If the damage is considered intentional, then the administration will hand the situation off to the School Resource Office or SRO. Now the situation becomes a police matter.

Lost or Stolen Devices Students should keep their device in its BCPS issued bag inside their backpack when traveling to and from school. If student is approached for their device and feel ANY threat, they should immediately hand over the device. A police report will be filed for devices missing from school for 48 hours. There is no “mysterious loss.” Student safety is our top priority. If a student is approached by someone and feels threatened, then he or she should hand over their device immediately. The device can always be replaced. Devices that can not be located for 24 hours are considered lost. There are no “mysterious loss” meaning it needs to be reported as lost or stolen. In the case of a lost device, a police report will be filed.

Reporting Lost or Stolen Devices Call police as soon as it is safe/possible to do so Student writes statement for the admin Admin hands off statement to SRO and it becomes a police matter All missing devices must be reported to the police. When a device is stolen it is important to call the police as soon as possible. When the student returns to school they will need to write a statement for the administration, just as they would if the device was damaged. Then the administration will give the School Resource Officer the statement and the police will handle the situation from that point on. As we mentioned before, there is no “mysterious loss” and all missing devices must be reported to the administration and the police.

Tracking Stolen Devices All devices have tracking software installed BCPS will utilize the tracking software ONLY when a police report has been filed and a report number has been given to BCPS officials The Baltimore County Police Department will guide BCPS actions in regards to stolen devices Each BCPS issued device has a tracking software installed in the event it is lost or stolen. BCPS can ONLY activate the tracking software after a police report has been filed and that report number has been given to BCPS officials. The tracking software only provides a physical address where the device is located. The tracking software does not turn on the built in web camera and can only be turned on after a police report has been filed.

Device Distribution Before devices can be issued to a student… The BCPS Technology Device Student Use Agreement must be signed by both parent/guardian and student each school year. Devices will be handed out at school during the first two weeks of classes. Student devices will not be distributed tonight. Students will be given their devices during the first two weeks of school. Before devices can be distributed there are a few steps which need to be completed.

Return of Devices & Accessories Devices and accessories must be returned at the end of the school year, or when a student withdraws from BCPS. If a student transfers from one BCPS school to another they must LEAVE their device and accessories at the FORMER school. A device and accessories will be issued at the new school. Students will be held accountable for any device and/or accessory (bag, charger) that is not returned at the end of the school year or upon withdrawing from BCPS.