PEDs! (Yutaka Tsutano/Flickr)

I’ve had a few requests for our school’s policy on learner use of personal electronic devices, or as we call them–PEDs. I drafted the original version last year and since then it has been reviewed by our district IT department and is approved for use at our school. I thought it was approved district-wide, but apparently we are not quite there yet. So, for anyone that would like to use this as a starting point to develop their own PED policy, here it is.

Guidelines for Learner Use of Personal Electronic Devices

The following guidelines are in effect with respect to learner access to the Challenger Middle School filtered, unsecured “Personal Devices” Wireless Network.

(1) The extent to which learners are allowed to use personal electronic devices (PEDs) in class is up to the discretion of individual teachers. However, since Challenger is a D20 School of Innovative Learning and Technology, teachers are encouraged to incorporate appropriate use of PEDs into the classroom to facilitate 21st century learning.

(2) PEDs include, but are not limited to: laptop computers, net books, iPads or other tablet computers, iPods and cell phones with relevant apps and/or data plans.

(3) No technical support is provided for PEDs at school.

(4) PEDs are not to be used for inter‐learner communication (email, texting or telephoning) at any time, unless authorized by a teacher. Students may not use the camera features of PEDs without the consent of a staff member and the person being photographed or videotaped.

(5) PEDs are not to be used during testing without the express consent of the teacher.

(6) All PEDs are brought to school at the user’s own risk. Challenger Middle School or district staff members are not responsible for theft, loss, or damage to PEDs.

(7) Use of PEDs for unauthorized gaming is prohibited.

(8) Teachers and administrators may bar an individual learner from using PEDs as deemed necessary.

(9) PEDs are subject to all provisions in the district’s Acceptable Use Agreement.

(10) Shared use of PEDs as a wireless hotspot to circumvent the district’s web filter is prohibited.

(11) PEDs may be confiscated at any time if these guidelines are not followed. Return of the device is contingent on the outcome of a meeting with the parents of the involved student(s).