Social Media Policies

The follow are guidelines for creating a safe and productive environment for using social media in the classroom. Students are Sophomores and Seniors and very much adept at using social media. The goal of these guidelines is to foster appropriate and responsible behavior respecting the power of social media and the worldwide web.

Religious Studies Classroom Social Media Policies & Guidelines

Mr. Elorduy uses social media as a tool to engage students in learning using technology as a part of our 21st century learning plan.  The following information is intended to supplement school-wide policies contained in the Parent-Student Handbook.  Parents and student should be familiar with this document as it is required reading for attendance at this school.

Social media is a platform that allows individuals to communicate, share and create content in real-time or asynchronously through direct messaging, and public and group posts. It allows users to track hashtags and search for specialized content. Social media is a very relevant and useful tool for modern life. However, with that usefulness come certain responsibilities that need to be understood and taken into consideration before posting publicly or privately. Digital information in the form of your digital footprint can be available for a very long time. Users must exercise judgement to ensure courtesy, respect and kindness. They also must consider social media as a tool for serious learning. One’s online presence should be considered a serious reflection of personal character.

As a 1:1 iPad school, Christian Brothers High School of Sacramento requires that students bring their devices with them to every class. In your religion class this year, you will be required to have your iPad charged and ready for class. Along with your iPad, occassionally other devices are permitted for use in class when approval is given by your teacher. Such devices are:

  • Smartphones
  • Video Recording Equipment
  • Laptops

The following are guidelines which apply when devices are used in class. They are not meant to replace or supersede good judgement and responsible use policies stipulated by the school administration:

  • Students should be carefully transparent and honest online to facillitate good discussion and sharing
  • Students should be mindful of professional and personal use of social media use separate accounts whenever necessary
  • Social media interaction inside and outside of class should be respectful and appropriate
  • Appropriate language is to be used at all times, however, grammar and conventional language mechanics do not necessarily apply
  • Students should be aware of privacy settings and use discretion with posts
  • Any form of bullying or harassment is grounds for being reported to the Dean
  • Students are to be mindful that they are representatives of the school and should uphold school values at all times
  • Students will gain much more from their social media presence if they maintain a positive and constructive presence online
  • Occasionally, students and teachers make errors when posting online. Please respond respectfully to constructive feedback.
  • Students should be conscious of the type of media posted publicly online, especially concerning video and photos of school students

Mr. Elorduy’s religion class is designed to be a productive and positive learning environment. The quality applies to student interaction inside and outside of class. Students are to be mindful of the policies listed above, but also practice good judgement. If a student is unsure of how to respond to questionable activity online, that student should never hesitate to seek the help of Mr. Elorduy or another adult.

References:

Click to access Social%20Media%20Guidelines.pdf

http://socialmediaguidelines.pbworks.com/w/page/17050885/Student%20Guidelines

Click to access edutopia-anderson-social-media-guidelines.pdf

The Digital Divide

The following Voice Thread presentation concerns the digital divide and how it affects students in our modern society. In a previous assignments I discussed the demographic and unique situation that exists at my school. I chose to expand my focus to address issues affecting larger communities and the nation as a whole. My school does a great deal to accommodate students with financial hardships. But that is a sliver of the local population. I would like to see a practical campaign sponsored by local governments and school districts. Here you will find my Google slide show.

Every major city in California has been affected by the tech boom in the San Francisco Bay Area. Housing prices have shot upwards even in Sacramento (75 miles away from the bay area). Yet, wages and salaries for the majority of the state’s citizens have not increased equally. And given record profits for companies effecting this trend and the insistence that technology is the way of the future, I believe companies should be partnering with school districts and governments to create an availability of devices to especially young people and their families. The innovative and tech savvy communities can become the more successful they will be. The computer can be young people’s portal outside a world of poverty, crime or despair. As fellow EdTech student, Art Schultz, mentioned in his Research Assignment, devices can be used to treat feelings of alienation. Why can’t they also give students homework, information and self-help resources in areas that need it the most?

Michio Kaku keeps celebrating that fact that soon enough it will cheap enough to paint entire walls with lcd computer screens (Physics of the Future). Why can’t we provide internet, devices and tech education to communities that use it most? I would like to see more people address this issue in the coming years as technology become more and more an essential aspects of our changing world. ddivide.JPG