Digital Learning

Students Reading in the Library Using Digital Resoureces

"Every student will have a personalized learning plan that supports them in being college and career ready and have the interpersonal skills important to life success."

We believe in a balanced approach to the use of technology, and that devices should be used purposefully to collect data, communicate, collaborate and create. Our technology devices are tools, and are useful in supporting us as we strive to meet the objectives of the Strategic Plan, including the need to personalize learning for each student.

Parent Information

About Digital Learning

About Digital Learning

Shawnee Mission is a 1:1 district that supports every elementary student with an iPad and each secondary student with a MacbookAir. The Digital Learning Initiatives provide expanded resources in the classroom and is opening up more options for students to learn. Students and teachers are actively learning together. The district focus is to use technology in the classroom to collect data that drives instruction, provide collaborative learning spaces online, empower students to create their own products and to support communication between the classroom and home.

Responsible Use Agreement

Students and families receive the district Responsible Use Agreement for review at the start of each school year via the Online Enrollment Verification in Skyward. The focus of the Responsible Use Policy is on safe, respectful and responsible use of technology. The Technology Responsible Use Policies for elementary, middle and high school students as well as related Board of Education Policies may be viewed with the following links:

COPPA

As part of Shawnee Mission School District's effort to provide students with effective and personalized learning opportunities, a variety of web-based sites and apps that are operated by third party services will be integrated into curriculum and learning.

In order for our students to use these tools, basic student information must be provided to the third parties. Under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), website and application operators must notify parents and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting this information from children under 13 years of age. In addition, under this law, schools are permitted to consent to the collection of this information on behalf of its students. This eliminates the need for individual parental consent given directly to each website or app operator.

For additional information regarding COPPA, please visit Protecting your Child's Privacy Online.

A list of the possible applications to be used in our classrooms, with links to their privacy policies can be obtained by clicking on the following link. Approved iOS and OS applications.

Big 3 Focus for Technology in the Classroom

Tech Tips for Home

Set a clear space for studying and device use in a main room in the home.
Monitor student technology use at home. Click Here for more ideas to monitor technology.
Define academic screen time vs entertainment screen time.
Charge and store devices in a central location in the home.
Encourage a healthy balance of technology use at home.
Preview programs, games and apps before allowing your child to view or play with them. Organizations such as Common Sense Media can help you determine what's appropriate. Better yet, watch, play or use them with your child.
Seek out interactive options that engage your child, rather than those that just require pushing and swiping or staring at the screen.
Use ScreenGuide to manage your child’s school-issued iPad after school and at home. For more information, please contact your school principal.
On personal devices and school iPads, use parental controls to block or filter internet content. For more information check out Apple’s resource page here.
Make sure your child is close by during screen time so that you can supervise his or her activities.
Ask your child regularly what programs, games and apps he or she has played with during the day.
When watching programming with your child, discuss what you're watching and educate him or her about advertising and commercials.
Prioritize unplugged, unstructured playtime.
Create tech-free zones or times, such as during mealtime or one night a week.
Discourage use of media entertainment during homework.
Set and enforce daily or weekly screen time limits and curfews, such as no exposure to devices or screens one hour before bedtime.
Consider using apps that control the length of time a child can use a device.
Limit your own screen time.
Digital Wellbeing Family Guide from Google

More Information for Technology

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
- Guidelines for technology use by educators and students
Common Sense Media
- Digital citizenship curriculum, tips for parents, information on technology in schools
Midwest Education Technology Community (METC)
- Resources for educators and information on digital citizenship
eSafety for Parents
- Tips and advice on helping your child have safe and enjoyable experiences online
Cyberwise
- Online safety & digital citizenship and literacy info for parents & teachers. CyberWise is the go-to source for BUSY adults who want to help kids use technology
Net Aware
- Net Aware brings together the NSPCC's expertise in protecting children and O2's tech know-how, we've got everything you need to help you keep your kids safe.
Mayo Clinic Screen Time Tips
American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Planning Site

Parental Controls Parent Guide from CommonSense Media

Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls

Do you need parental controls? What are the options? Do they really work? Here's everything you need to know about the wide array of parental control solutions, from OS settings to monitoring apps to network hardware. By Caroline Knorr

Topics: Cellphone Parenting, Privacy and Internet Safety, Social Media

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Even if you've talked to your kids about screen-time limits and responsible online behavior, it's still really tough to manage what they do when you're not there (and even when you are). Parental controls can support you in your efforts to keep your kids' internet experiences safe, fun, and productive. They work best when used openly and honestly in partnership with your kids -- not as a stealth spying method.

Figuring out what kind of parental control is best is entirely based on your own family's needs. Some families can get by with simple, free browser settings to filter inappropriate content. Some families need help clamping down on screen time. Some folks are cool with spot-checks on their kids' devices. Wherever you are in your search, this guide can help you make sense of the wide array of options for managing your family's devices. Find the answers to parents' most frequently asked questions about parental controls.

What are the best parental controls for blocking websites?
What are the best parental controls for blocking websites and filtering content?
What are the best parental controls for setting limits and monitoring kids?
What are the best parental controls for kids' phones?
What are the best parental controls for tracking location?
What are the best network parental controls?
What are the best parental control options for iOS phones and tablets?
What are the best parental control options for Android devices?
Can I set parental controls in specific apps, such as Snapchat and TikTok?
Do I need to worry about my kid disabling parental controls?
Will my kid know that I'm using parental controls?

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