Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT)

Regulation Descriptor Code: IFBG-R(3)
Internet Acceptable Use - Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT)

1. Introduction

The Barrow County School System’s technology mission is to maximize the integration and use of instructional technologies to foster communication, collaboration, create engaging learning opportunities, to promote responsible digital citizenship, and to ensure an exceptional education for all students. Technology plays a large role in our students’ lives and personal technology devices can enhance and enrich learning opportunities both at home and at school. Therefore, the Barrow County School System is implementing a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) program to harness technology as a means of developing an environment that will support our mission. The district is committed to allowing responsible, learning-centered use of personal devices to provide as many pathways to understanding as possible for our students.

2. BYOT Agreement

This document is a contract, which outlines the guidelines and expectations for this program. 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. If personal technology is used as an aid to classroom instruction, the teacher will make use of the technology devices present, possibly pairing students or placing them into groups.

The contents of this agreement may be modified by the administrative team of each school to fit the needs of the particular learning community. However, any changes may not supersede the guidelines provided by the district's Acceptable Use Policy.

3. BYOT Defined

BYOT is an acronym for Bring Your Own Technology. A BYOT program establishes guidelines that permit students to bring their technology devices to school for academic use. Devices may range from handheld types to laptops.

4. Plan

Students in grades K - 12 may bring their own technology devices to their school campus. Use of personal devices in school is subject to the voluntary participation and discretion of teachers and staff. Students may only use personal devices when and as directed by their teacher. All devices must be capable of browsing the Internet and capable of connecting to the school system’s Wi-Fi network.

All students will be expected to access the Internet through the wireless Internet service provided by the Barrow County School System, which will be available in every building. This network will provide the same level of filtered Internet access found on district-owned devices, which is in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

5. Personal Privacy

Any use of the wireless network entails personal responsibility and compliance with all school rules. The use of the Barrow County School System’s wireless network also allows Information Technology (IT) staff to conduct investigations regarding inappropriate Internet use at any time, by administrator request. Therefore, users should not expect that files and communication are private. Users should have no expectation of privacy regarding their use of network and/or Internet access or files, including email. The BCSS reserves the right to monitor users’ online activities and to access, review, copy, and store or delete any electronic communication or files and disclose them to others as it deems necessary.

6. Network Security

Access to the Barrow County School System network is a privilege, not a right. The use of any technology, whether owned by the BCSS or devices owned by individuals, is subject to the same guidelines for acceptable use. Users will be expected to comply with BCSS rules and guidelines, use technology in a responsible manner, and honor the terms and conditions set by the classroom teacher, the school and the BCSS. This includes the use of the wireless network.

Students are not permitted to use computers or wireless devices that are logged into faculty or staff network user accounts.

Consequences for Misuse/Disruption

Students will be held accountable for their actions and are encouraged to report any accidental misuse immediately to their teacher or school administration. Failure to comply with such terms and conditions may result in temporary or permanent loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal actions as deemed appropriate. Infractions that also violate the Student Code of Conduct will be handled at the discretion of the school’s administration.

Student Code of Conduct

7. Student Participation in Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Program

Students in grades K-12 may bring their own technology devices to school campuses subject to accepting the definitions in this agreement and the terms below:

a. Definition of “Technology”
For purposes of BYOT, "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, handheld 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.

b. Internet Access
All Internet access shall occur only through the use of the school-provided wireless network. The use of cellular networks to access the Internet while on campus is not permitted.

c. Security, Damages, and School System Liability
Participation in the BYOT program is voluntary; therefore responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the individual owner. BCSS is not liable for any device stolen or damages to it on campus. If a 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 skins (decals) and other custom touches be used to physically identify your device from others. Additionally, protective cases for technology are encouraged.

d. Student Agreement
The use of technology to provide educational material is not a necessity but a privilege. The primary purpose for allowing students to bring their own technology devices is to support learning. As such, a student does not have the right to use his or her laptop, cellphone or other electronic device while at school without the approval of school personnel. When abused, privileges will be taken away. When respected, they will benefit the learning environment as a whole.

Students and parents/guardians participating in BYOT must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as all Board policies, particularly Internet Acceptable Use (Policy IFBG). Furthermore, the student must agree to the following conditions:

• The student takes full responsibility for his or her technology device. The school is not responsible for the security of student-owned technology.
• The technology must be in silent mode while on school campuses and while riding school buses.
• The technology may not be used to cheat on assignments or tests, or for non-instructional/personal purposes.
• The student shall not use his or her technology device to intimidate or bully others as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
• The student shall not use the device to record, transmit or post photographic images or video of a person, or persons (students or faculty) on campus during school activities and/or hours unless assigned by the teacher as allowed by the BCSS Media Release. Distribution can be as small as emailing/texting to one other person or as large as posting an image or video online.
• The student accesses only files on the computer or Internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum. Non-instructional games and other non-instructional activities are not permitted.
• The use of personal devices is at the discretion of teachers and staff and must be used as and when directed by their teacher.
• The student complies with a teacher's request to put down and/or shut down the device whenever asked.

Students acknowledge and agree that:

• Personal devices are not permitted to be used in locker rooms, restrooms, and the nurse’s office.
• The school's network filters will be applied to one's connection to the Internet and no attempt to bypass them will be made.
• Personal devices, while used on campus, may be managed by mobile device management software to ensure compliance with this agreement and to facilitate instruction.
• Bringing on the school premises and/or 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 AUP policy and will result in disciplinary actions.
• Processing or accessing information on school property related to "hacking," altering, or bypassing network security policies is in violation of the AUP policy and will result in disciplinary actions.
• The school district has the right to collect and examine any device at any time for the purpose of enforcing the terms of this agreement, investigating student discipline issues, or for any other school-related purpose.
• Personal technology must be charged prior to bringing it to school, and the device must run off its own battery while at school. Students remain subject to all other school behavior rules.

Students remain subject to all other school behavior rules.