Bring Your Own Technology Agreement

Administrative teams at each school may modify this agreement to fit the needs of their particular learning community.  However, any changes may not supersede the guidelines provided by the district's Student Code of Conduct, Responsible Use Guidelines or the Board of Education's Internet Acceptable Use Policy.
 
As new technologies continue to change the world in which we live, they also provide many new and positive educational benefits for classroom instruction.  Therefore, we have decided to implement Bring Your Own Technology at our schools. In this initiative, students are encouraged to bring their own technology devices to school to assist their learning experiences. This Student Handbook is a contract which we will adhere to for Bring Your Own Technology within our schools.  Please note that students who cannot bring in outside technology will be able to access and utilize the school’s equipment.  No student will be left out of instructional activities.

Definition of Technology

For purposes of Bring Your Own Technology, Technology means a privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic hand held equipment that includes, but is not limited to, existing and emerging mobile communication systems and smart technologies, portable internet devices, hand-held entertainment systems or portable information technology systems that can be used for word processing, wireless internet access, image capture/recording, sound recording and information transmitting/receiving/storing, etc.

Internet

Only the internet gateway provided by the school may be accessed while on campus. Personal, internet-connected devices, such as, but not limited to, cell phones and cell network adapters (Hotspots) are not permitted to be used to access outside internet sources while on campus during the school day.

Security and Damages

Responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the individual owner.  Bulloch County Schools is not liable for any device stolen or damaged while on campus. If a bring-your-own-technology device is stolen or damaged, it will be handled through the administrative office similar to other personal artifacts that are impacted in similar situations. It is recommended that appropriate skins (decals) and other custom touches are used to physically identify your bring-your-own-technology device from others. Additionally, protective cases for technology are encouraged.

Bring Your Own Technology Student Agreement

The use of technology to provide educational material is not a necessity but a privilege. A student does not have the right to use his or her laptop, cellphone or other bring-your-own-technology electronic device while at school without the approval of school personnel. When abused, the privilege of using a personal device in the classroom may be taken away.
 
Students, parents, and guardians participating in bring your own technology must adhere to both the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Internet Use Agreement in this Student Handbook as well as all Board policies, particularly the Internet Acceptable Use (Policy IFBG) and Electronic Communications (Policy IFBGA-RO) and the conditions listed below. Students who fail to abide by any of these policies and conditions or who violate generally accepted rules of behavior when using personal or school system computers/communication devices which provide access to network services may be subject to disciplinary action, including revocation of use privileges, suspension, expulsion or other appropriate disciplinary action.

• Students must adhere to the following conditions:
  • Student takes full responsibility for his or her technology device.
  • School is not responsible for the security of student-owned technology.
  • Student’s technology must be in silent mode while on school campuses and while riding school buses.
  • Student’s technology may not be used to cheat on assignments or tests.
  • Student may not use school or bring-your-own-technology devices for non-instructional purposes during school hours.
  • Student may access only files relevant to classroom curriculum on the computer or Internet.
  • Student must comply with a teacher's request to shut down the device or exit an application. 
  • Student acknowledges that the school's network filters will be applied to one's connection to the Internet and will not attempt to bypass them.
  • Student understands that intentionally infecting the network with a Virus, Trojan, or program designed to damage, alter, destroy, or provide access to unauthorized data or information is in violation of the Board of Education’s Acceptable Use Policy and will result in disciplinary actions.
  • Student understands that processing or accessing information on school property related to “hacking”, altering, or bypassing network security policies is in violation of the Board of Education’s Acceptable Use Policy and will result in disciplinary actions.
  • The school district has the right to collect and examine any device that is suspected of causing problems or was the source of an attack or virus infection.
  • The student understands that printing from personal technology devices will not be possible at school.
  • Students may not photograph or videotape students, faculty or staff for non-school purposes nor distribute their likenesses through any digital, print, or broadcast media platform without their express consent, unless assigned to do so by administration or faculty for specific school promotion purposes.