Meriden Schools Set Guidelines as District Set for ‘Bring Your Own Device’ Program

The Meriden Board of Education last year approved plans that will allow the district to implement use of “bring your own devices” to further enhance education for students in the city. With technology a growing part of everyday life, School Superintendent Mark Benigni said.

The program, designed to provide a complement to traditional teaching and help motivate students to learn beyond the classroom, will continue to grow in the next few years, Benigni said on the Board of Education website.

“Digital devices can assist learners in understanding content and concepts, enhance creativity, enrich learning, extend opportunities and teach skills that will be regularly used outside the classroom,” he said.

As students prepare to return to school on August 28, the district now has a clear list of guidelines to assure the program is a success.

The district has released the following guidelines for the program:

Definition of Devices
Wireless and/or portable electronic devices that include, but are not limited to, existing and emerging mobile communication systems, smart technologies, portable Internet devices, tablet devices, e-readers, laptops, net books, MP3 players, or any new device that is deemed appropriate to the goals of the school and complies with the districts' acceptable use policy (Policy No. 6141.323)

Security and Damages
The use of a personal device is the responsibility of the student and must be used in accordance with the acceptable use policy of the Meriden Public Schools and must, on all occasions, be related to an educational purpose, task or communication. All students bringing a personal device to school must have a signed acceptable use policy on file at the school. The Meriden Public Schools is not responsible for the loss, damage or theft of any electronic device brought to school by a student.

The school district will not require students to bring in devices that the school cannot provide within its resources. No student will be penalized if a majority of students are using personally-owned devices and a student chooses not to bring his/her own device to school.

Guidelines for Use of Devices:
Students who bring personal devices to school must adhere to the following rules:

1. Devices may be used for instructional purposes and at the teacher's discretion.
2. Devices must not disrupt the learning of others. Audio should be muted unless otherwise directed by the teacher.
3. Devices may be used in the media center, cafeteria, and study hall at any time, or classroom when instructed by teacher.
4. Devices may not be used to tease, harass, annoy, or bully (Policy No. 5131) others.
5. Devices will not disrupt the educational environment of the school.
6. Devices may be confiscated and may only be picked up by parent/guardian.
7. Disciplinary action will be taken based upon misuse of the technology.
8. Students may lose the privilege of bringing a device to school if any of the regulations in the BYOD guidelines or acceptable use policy are violated.
9. Students may not use mobile phones for any voice communication during the school day without specific consent.
   

For more information on the program, be sure to visit the school district’s website by using the link provided.

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