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DoubleF · 06-18-2024, 05:17 PM

I find it kinda funny that 20 years later, the issues that plagued schools digital policies are still basically the same. There's new ways being used of course and there's an increase in external content consumption, but the end result and concerns are basically the same.

I sat in a school association meeting not long ago and the digital policy was discussed and a net nanny was brought up. The VP responded that net nannies don't catch everything and don't do anything for phones using data/tethering. I chuckled and mentioned that Bess didn't stop everything. If we wanted a way around it, we'd figure it out.

In general, all you need is one or two kids in a 100GB+ plan tethering other kids for snacks and favors and your intranet policy is useless. It was advised that teaching kids how to self manage was a stronger and more effective approach that fencing everything off. Kids were advised to report any digital usage that was against the rules and then teachers/staff would have a discussion with the student about the appropriate time to use the devices. Outright bans of the devices was mentioned as something the principal and VP did not want to pursue, and this is for elementary school.

There's too much overthinking about all of this. Similar to 20 years ago, there were things that were disruptive as well. Have a policy about stuff in general that is disruptive and the consequences of that is confiscation or expulsion. Treat phones no differently than we did mp3/mini disc players/game boys/playing cards etc. in school 20 years ago.

Existing rules seem to be adequate. Schools need to stop formalizing rules for weird exceptions for that make it harder for teachers to do anything. Allow these devices on campus, but not allowed to be used except in very narrow situations (ie: Recess, quiet work time based on teacher's but not school decision etc.). Arguments about these devices will result in confiscation and potentially expulsion. The latter being more to do with the fact the child is being disruptive and non-cooperative multiple times and nothing to do with the devices.

06-18-2024, 05:17 PM	#79
DoubleF Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2014 Exp:	I find it kinda funny that 20 years later, the issues that plagued schools digital policies are still basically the same. There's new ways being used of course and there's an increase in external content consumption, but the end result and concerns are basically the same. I sat in a school association meeting not long ago and the digital policy was discussed and a net nanny was brought up. The VP responded that net nannies don't catch everything and don't do anything for phones using data/tethering. I chuckled and mentioned that Bess didn't stop everything. If we wanted a way around it, we'd figure it out. In general, all you need is one or two kids in a 100GB+ plan tethering other kids for snacks and favors and your intranet policy is useless. It was advised that teaching kids how to self manage was a stronger and more effective approach that fencing everything off. Kids were advised to report any digital usage that was against the rules and then teachers/staff would have a discussion with the student about the appropriate time to use the devices. Outright bans of the devices was mentioned as something the principal and VP did not want to pursue, and this is for elementary school. There's too much overthinking about all of this. Similar to 20 years ago, there were things that were disruptive as well. Have a policy about stuff in general that is disruptive and the consequences of that is confiscation or expulsion. Treat phones no differently than we did mp3/mini disc players/game boys/playing cards etc. in school 20 years ago. Existing rules seem to be adequate. Schools need to stop formalizing rules for weird exceptions for that make it harder for teachers to do anything. Allow these devices on campus, but not allowed to be used except in very narrow situations (ie: Recess, quiet work time based on teacher's but not school decision etc.). Arguments about these devices will result in confiscation and potentially expulsion. The latter being more to do with the fact the child is being disruptive and non-cooperative multiple times and nothing to do with the devices.