Students have access to many digital devices during the day at school. In order to ensure all students’ safety in this regard, students must agree:

• To be compliant with CBE Administrative Regulation 1062: Responsible Use of Electronic Information Resources.
• In order to allow them to connect to the school’s wireless network with their own devices.

Non-compliant students must understand that any violation of this regulation/Agreement, or the principles or expectations set out in it, may result in loss of access privileges, student disciplinary measures under Administrative Regulation 6006 - Progressive Student Discipline, and/or legal action, including actions taken by the CBE, by persons unrelated to the CBE, and referral for criminal prosecution.

WDP Digital Citizenship Plan

Digital Access | full electronic participation in society

Technology users need to be aware of and support electronic access for all to create a foundation for Digital Citizenship.

Students may bring in their own devices and connect to the CBE wireless network, which allows for access to the internet via the CBE filters. To use their own devices, students must sign, return and follow the Student Digital Citizenship Admirable Use Agreement which includes following the Away for the Day cell phone policy to optimize student learning. Away for the Day means students will be required to leave their personal devices in their hallway lockers during instructional time unless given direct permission from their teacher for a particular activity and will return cell phones to their lockers before going to next class. When students have been permitted to have their device in the classroom, they are expected to demonstrate digital citizenship by not engaging in distracting activities such as texting, playing games, or using social media during class time. Students unable to follow the digital citizenship policy will be unable to use their device in the classroom.

Digital Commerce | electronic buying and selling of goods

Technology users need to understand that a large share of market economy is being done electronically. Legitimate and legal exchanges are occurring, but the buyer or seller need to be aware of the issues associated with it. The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys, clothing, cars, food, etc. has become commonplace to many users.

At William D. Pratt, students are exposed to the concepts of digital commerce and that it is a viable form of business transaction. Students may, through daily work or as part of a CTF project, design and create a product and then investigate how they would go about marketing and selling a product online. Through such investigation, students will gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of digital commerce.

Digital Communication | electronic exchange of information

In the 21st century, communication options have increased to offer a wide variety of choices (e.g. e- mail, cellular phones, instant messaging, social networks). The expanding digital communication options have changed everything because people are able to keep in constant communication with anyone else. Now everyone has the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with anyone from anywhere and anytime. Unfortunately, many users
have not been taught how to make appropriate decisions when faced with so many different digital communication options.

At William D. Pratt, students may bring in their own personal devices such as cell phones, iPads, or their own personal computers. In doing so, students are instructed in the proper use of their devices within a school learning environment and which behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable.
For cell phones this means following the Away for the Day policy where cell phones are in hallway lockers during instructional time and only permitted in class with direct teacher permission for a particular activity.

Digital Literacy | process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology

Learners must be taught how to learn in a digital society. As new technologies emerge, learners need to learn how to use that technology quickly and appropriately. Digital Citizenship involves educating people in a new way— these individuals need a high degree of information literacy skills.

At William D. Pratt, students are provided opportunities to work with new and exciting technologies, whether they be hardware or software specific. Students learn how to communicate through a variety of media, including visual, auditory and written text.

Digital Etiquette electronic standards of conduct or procedure

Technology users often see this area as one of the most pressing problems when dealing with Digital Citizenship. We recognize inappropriate behaviour when we see it, but before people use technology they do not learn digital etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct). Many people feel uncomfortable talking to others about their digital etiquette. Rules and regulations have been created for student safety, appropriate use & optimal learning conditions. It is not enough to create rules and policy, we must teach everyone to become responsible digital citizens in this new society.

At William D. Pratt, students are given opportunities to learn how to use technology appropriately in a school environment. The expected norms for technology use within a school are different from other environments. Through classroom discussions and reflection, students learn proper etiquette for working with technology.

Digital Law | electronic responsibility for actions and deeds

Digital law deals with the ethics of technology within a society. Unethical use manifests itself in forms of theft and/or crime. Ethical use manifests itself in the form of abiding by the laws of society. Users need to understand that stealing or causing damage to other people’s work, identity, or property online is a crime. There are certain rules of society of which users need to be aware in an ethical society. These laws apply to anyone who works or plays online. Hacking into others information, downloading illegal music, plagiarizing, creating destructive worms, viruses or creating Trojan Horses, sending spam, or stealing anyone’s identify or property is unethical.

At William D. Pratt, students learn about digital law and how it affects them. Through project work and direct instruction, students are taught about the intricacies of digital law and how they can successfully and legally operate in a technology-rich world.

Digital Rights and Responsibilities | those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world

Digital citizens have the right to privacy and free speech. Basic digital rights must be addressed, discussed, and understood in the digital world. With these rights also come responsibilities. Users must help define how the technology is to be used in an appropriate manner. In a digital society these two areas must work together for everyone to be productive.

At William D. Pratt, students are given opportunities to make connections between traditional rights/ responsibilities and digital rights/responsibilities. Students are viewed as stakeholders and have a voice in the responsible use of technology in school within the established technology parameters.

Digital Health and Wellness | physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world

Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practices are issues that need to be addressed in a new technological world. Beyond the physical issues are those of the psychological issues that are becoming more prevalent such as Internet addiction. Users need to be taught that there are inherent dangers of technology. Digital Citizenship includes a culture where technology users are taught how to protect themselves through education and training.

At William D. Pratt, students are provided opportunities to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of technology, such as safe practices online, distracted and addictive use of technology, or even proper posture when typing.

Digital Security (self-protection) | electronic precautions to guarantee safety

In any society, there are individuals who steal, deface, or disrupt other people. The same is true for the digital community. It is not enough to trust other members in the community for our own safety. In our own homes, we put locks on our doors and fire alarms in our houses to provide some level of protection. The same must be true for digital security. We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and surge control of our equipment. As responsible citizens, we must protect our information from outside forces that might cause disruption or harm.

At William D. Pratt, students are instructed and given opportunities to discuss the notion of digital security and their role in keeping themselves and others safe. Students are made aware of the importance of secure passwords, keeping private information private, and other hazards, such as viruses, and malicious websites and/or emails.

Student Safety

Outcomes for student online safety include:

• The school has an acceptable use agreement policy modeled on Administrative Regulation 1062 - Responsible Use of Electronic Information Resources and it has been communicated to students. 
• Appropriate ICT outcomes relating to digital citizenship have been infused in core subjects that relate to student safety. Consequences for inappropriate use have been communicated to students.

At William D. Pratt, the following provisions ensure student safety:

• The use of the CBE internet filter system to ensure students have access to appropriate websites.
• Teacher supervision when students are on the internet.
• Education concerning the potential dangers of the internet.
• Education concerning proper use of technology.
• Education regarding digital rights and responsibilities.

Student Learning

At William D. Pratt, the following provisions ensure student learning:

• Provision of various forms of technology, including but not limited to desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile devices (with teacher permission as per the Away for the Day policy), digital cameras, document cameras, SMART Boards.
• Education, for teachers and students, on how to effectively use the available technology. 
• Project Based learning that utilizes technology as an essential component 
• Education regarding digital law, including digital copyright, and how such ideas can be incorporated into the learning process.

Student Owned Devices

• At William D. Pratt, the following provisions are concerned with the use of student owned devices:
  Personal devices connect to the wireless network and are subject to the CBE internet filter system.
•  Students are instructed in how to keep their device safe and secure. They are expected to follow these instructions.
• Students are responsible for their own devices.

Cell Phone Policy - Away for the Day

• In order to optimize student learning, students will be required to leave their cell phones in their hallway lockers during instructional time unless given direct permission from their teacher for a particular activity and will return cell phones to their lockers before going to the next class.
• When students have been permitted to have their device in the classroom, they are expected to demonstrate digital citizenship by not engaging in distracting activities such as texting, playing games, or using social media during class time.
• Unless explicitly allowed by a staff member, headphones and other listening devices may only be used before and after school hours.
• Cell phones may be used on school grounds before school, during lunch, and after school but must remain in students’ lockers during the nutrition break.
• Students who are found using personal electronic devices during class time without permission or engaging in inappropriate activities will be asked to surrender it to the office where it will be securely stored until the end of the day. There will be concessions in place for those students who require supports for specific needs ie. Translation.

Students must sign, return and follow the Student Digital Citizenship
Acceptable Use Agreement

Parent Communication

• Ongoing formal and informal communication through the use of the school and classroom websites, email and D2L.
• Information sessions regarding Digital Citizenship help at School Council Meetings.

References

• Calgary Board of Education (2012). Digital Citizenship. [ONLINE] Available at: http:// www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/technol...
• Nine Elements. (2012). digital citizenship: Using technology appropriately. Retrieved July 9, 2012, from http://digitalcitizenship.net/... 
• Twelve Mile Coulee Digital Citizenship Plan - 2015-16. (2015).