Teacher Trust

This week Kelli Boklaschuk from Brandon School Division Communication and IT visited our class to inform us about the technology policies in BSD. Prior to her speaking to our class I, and many of my class mates, had many questions and were wanting to clear rumours shrouding BSD and their technology use policy.

Kelli was clear about BSD's technology use policies and I am left with no questions about what teachers in BSD can and cannot do, although I believe their policies could be adjusted to make using technology in the classroom, especially having students use technology in the classroom, more friendly. The most pressing issue for me is the desire to go 1:1 with the current policies in place.

Teachers in the division are able to use a variety of websites, and just because they require a log in for students to use does not mean they cannot be used in the division, but rather they need to apply for permission from the division to use the apps or websites. The division will approve or deny the request whether they believe it is necessary, and in some cases will direct teachers to other apps or websites that may be similar but are already approved b the division.

All-in-all I see why the division is hesitant to give free reign to the teachers as they do not want to create headlines in the newspapers for inappropriate use of technology, but with that being said I believe teachers are relied to use their judgement many times throughout the day that this shouldn't be any different.

Speaking of trust, another point that Kelli made is the responsibility of teachers to ensure devices, and in particular I am referring to student owned devices such as smart phones, iPads and iPods, are being used appropriately in class. If a student is caught using a device, whether it be their own or not, inappropriately in the school it is the teachers responsibility. What is most concerning is how difficult it is to manage students using their personal devices in the class and it made me think twice about having the students bring personal devices into the classroom. What measures can a teacher take to ensure students are using their personal devices effectively in the classroom? Other than having strong classroom management skills I can't think if any. In particular I think this is a bigger issue in a senior years setting than a middle years setting, but problems could arise in either.

I think that allowing students to use their personal devices in the classroom can be a powerful tool, but precautions need to be taken.