Policy Details Page

Policy 2023
Instruction

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The Board recognizes that students use technology to play, learn, and communicate while at home and at school, it is important that they learn how to use that technology safely, responsibly, ethically, and effectively. The Board is committed to educating every student on how to use technology in ways that enhance their learning experience by developing and strengthening skills for analysis, evaluation, reflection, and communication. As the District’s educators guide exploration of the digital landscape, they will encourage students to be critical and creative thinkers by engaging in on-going discussions about the use of technology and digital resources. Students, in turn, are expected to actively engage with and express their voices in the digital landscape.

The Board is dedicated to protecting and promoting digital rights and media literacy in each of its staff and students. The Board is committed to supporting educators and instructional leaders in developing skills and proficiency in digital rights and media literacy.

Digital Rights:

Digital rights include the norms of respectful, responsible, safe, and healthy behavior related to current technology use, including digital and media literacy, ethics, etiquette, and security. Digital rights include the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, develop, produce, and interpret media, as well as Internet safety and cyberbullying prevention and response.

In the digital landscape, students and staff will recognize and value the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world, and they engage in safe, legal, and ethical behaviors. Students and staff will cultivate and manage their digital identity and reputation and are aware of the scope and permanence of their actions in the digital world; they advocate for themselves and affect others in their behavior, action, and choices. The digital world is an extension of societal values and norms where the rights of others are respected and upheld by the responsible actions of each user.

Media Literacy:

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using a variety of forms of communication. Media literacy includes the ability to understand how and why media messages and images are constructed and for what purposes they are used.

Media literacy examines how individuals interpret messages differently based on their skills, beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences; it also considers how values and points of view are included or excluded in various media. Media literacy cultivates a continual awareness of the ways in which media can influence societal beliefs and behavior. In addition, media literacy develops effective communicators, able to demonstrate critical and creative thinking as they utilize appropriate media creation tools. Further, they understand the conventions and characteristics of the tools they have selected. 

Media literacy enables students and staff to adapt to changing technologies and develop the new skills required as they continue to engage in life-long learning. Media literacy empowers individuals to participate and effectively engage as informed and active participants in a democracy.

 Cross References:    Board Policy     2020    Curriculum Development & Adoption of Instructional Materials

                                                            2022    Electronic Resources and Internet Safety

                                                            2025    Copyright Compliance

                                                            3207    Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

                                                            3231    Student Discipline

                                                            4040 - Public Access to District Records

                                                            4217 - Effective Communication

                                                            4400 - Election Activities

                                                            5281 - Disciplinary Action and Discharge

Legal References:       RCW 28A.650.045 Digital citizenship, internet safety, and media literacy

                                    RCW 28A.650.010 Definitions

 

 Adoption Date: 7/23/2020