Smarter Clicking: School Technology Policies That Work!

"Wells carefully shares important information, examples, and resources helpful to any district that is continually developing policies and procedures in technology. He has developed a wonderful field guide for any administrator charged with developing such policies." —Donnan Stoicovy, Principal Park Forest Elementary School, State College, PA Develop safe technology practices that support learning and protect your school, staff, and students! Today′s emerging technologies present educators with a wealth of teaching opportunities combined with challenges that include legal, safety, and privacy issues. This comprehensive guide is designed to support appropriate use of technology for teaching and learning and give school leaders a clear road map for creating, implementing, and maintaining effective instructional technology policies. In jargon-free terms, Christopher Wells explains legal considerations and offers case studies and concrete strategies help educators: Evaluate their schools′ needs Involve all school, district, and community stakeholders in a collaborative effort Manage technology access to protect student and staff privacy Respond to challenges presented by social networking and emerging technologies Avoid inappropriate, costly use of technology Develop acceptable use policies Smarter Clicking helps school and district administrators develop policies that support the informed use of cutting-edge technology within an environment that advances learning while protecting schools, students, and staff.

Table of Contents:
About the Author Preface 1. Optional No Longer: The Need for Effective School Technology Policies Why school technology policies are essential Legal policy requirements Comparing technology expectations and correlating policies Using policies to shape instructional expectations for technology 2. It’s Everyone’s Responsibility: A Collaborative Approach to Technology Policy Development Leading technology policy development and implementation Policy development and implementation responsibilities Comparing the policies of school and home technology use Policies for the larger learning community outside of school Involving more learning community members in policy development 3. Good Fences Make Good Users: Policies for Protecting Privacy Student and staff privacy: the policy perspective Managing sensitive instruction-related information Guidelines for protecting student information The emerging social networking challenge 4. Keeping Money in the Checking Account: Policies for Protect Technology Investments The real cost of innovation in the classroom Educating and the investment cost of technology Developing policies to address the changing scope of educational technology investments 5. Knowing the Secret Handshake: Technology Access Policies Evaluating school technology functions and related policies Developing Acceptable use policies (AUPs) Using passwords to secure access 6. Buttons, Bells, and Flashing Lights: Managing K-12 Internet Use Internet applications in the classroom Policy development to support instructional internet use Policies to protect others’ privacy and personal rights 7. No Stone Unturned: Implementing Technology Policies and Procedures Exploring the impact of policies on the learning culture Shaping the culture with school technology policies and procedures Supporting culture change with technology team members Managing community response to school technology policies Preventing conflicts over policy components 8. In My Crystal Ball, I See…: Emerging Technology Concerns Policy challenges of ubiquitous technology Addressing emerging technology and limiting risks Policy development to support future appropriate school technology use Resources References Index

About the Author :
Christopher Wells is the IT policies and communications director for Gwinnett County Public Schools, the largest school district in Georgia. With more than 160,000 students in the district, he responds to the diverse, creative ways technology is being used in classrooms. Christopher presents regularly and his enthusiasm for his topic material is contagious (even if the audience thinks that technology policies and procedures are boring!). By incorporating realistic examples and messages with humor, compassion, and vision, Christopher consistently engages diverse audiences and leaves listeners focused and energized on the development of new resources for students and teachers. In the past, he worked for Arthur Andersen, a global consulting firm, and developed and managed a global distance learning consulting practice. Prior to that, Christopher was a high school science and computer science teacher, developing curricula for biology, ecology, environmental science, oceanography, science research, and AP Pascal classes. Christopher is a graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, earning his BS in science education and biology and an MS in computer education with an emphasis on instructional technology. He is currently a PhD student at Walden University’s College of Management and Technology in leadership and organizational change. Christopher is still actively involved in several organizations that involve youth and the natural world, including a youth retreat movement for middle school students and a sea turtle research project run on Wassaw Island, Georgia.

Review :
"Wells has carefully shared important information, examples, and resources that would be helpful to any district that is continually developing policies and procedures in technology. The author has developed a wonderful field guide for those who are charged with developing such policies." "Technological advances have changed teaching and learning in our schools. As key instructional leaders, principals must be prepared to regulate these advances. School leaders need up-to-date information about technology policies and how they affect teaching and learning. Smarter Clicking is an important resource in providing guidance for principals, administrators, and technology team members to develop technology policies and procedures that aid student learning."