Schools told to ‘engage with parents over phone policies’
PARENTS and pupils across the country will have to be consulted on school policy on the use of smartphones and tablet devices in an effort to make young people “good digital citizens”.
Education Minister Richard Bruton (inset) is issuing a circular to all schools today that will require them to engage with parents and students under the Government’s digital strategy action plan.
It states that this policy should complement the use of technology in the classroom for teaching and learning and should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
Some of the recommended polices include:
■ An acceptable usage policy, signed by students and their parents, detailing the ways in which internet-enabled devices can and cannot be used in school;
■ An anti-bullying policy, to include reference to cyberbullying;
■ A data protection policy to include reference to the use of images and social media;
■ Bring your own device (BYOD), which allows pupils/ students to bring their own devices into classrooms to support improving student learning outcomes;
■ Wellbeing, to ensure the area of safe and ethical use of the internet is addressed in the context of the whole-school approach to wellbeing.
The circular agrees that the use of tablet devices and smartphones is an integral part of the lives of children and young people.
However, it identified concerns including risks that are associated with “the misuse, abuse and possible overuse of these devices and the various associated technologies”.
“Children and young people need to be guided and supported to become good digital citizens,” the circular states.
“In a school setting, using digital technologies mediated by the teacher with the skills to exploit the potential of the technologies can be invaluable in equipping children with the skills to navigate the online world safely.”
At primary level, the current general policy is that phones should be left at home or, if they are brought in to school, they should be switched off.
At post-primary level, a ban on smartphones is deemed unrealistic.
But teachers may confiscate them if the students are found using them for unauthorised purposes.
However, the unapproved use of smartphones in the classroom is a growing problem, according to a recent survey of second-level teachers that was carried out by the website Studyclix.
A little over half (51pc) of teachers reported that students checking their phones in class was a hindrance to teaching and learning.
Some 60pc are wanting an outright ban on phones in schools.
To find full details on awareness and education resources for teachers and parents, visit www.webwise.ie.