Technology is everywhere and ever changing in District 2! As students are spending more time on digital devices, our schools prepare them with the tech skills they need, such as internet safety, digital citizenship, and research strategies. 

Technology is not a substitute for traditional classroom methods; it is a tool that encourages 21st century learning and develops skills such as collaborating, creating, communicating, and critical thinking.

Tech Integration by Grade Level

Grades Pre-K-1

Students in these classrooms utilize classroom touchscreen Chromebooks. Technology is primarily used to provide students with extra practice for reading, writing, and math skills. Apps such as RazKids and Starfall are used to help students develop phonic skills. Apps such Happy Numbers and ABCya  are used to help students develop math skills. Students also use technology to create projects. Some projects include creating animal research books and creating book talk video recordings.

Grades 2-5

Students use Chromebooks to complete their everyday classroom assignments. Google apps such as Google Docs, Presentations, Drawings, and Sheets are used by students to expand their learning and show their understanding. The use of Google apps allows students to also easily collaborate with classmates and teachers as projects are being completed. Google apps are often used to create essays and presentations focused on curriculum topics. Other web resources such as BrainPop, Lexia, myON, and Carnegie Math are also often used to expand students' knowledge on curriculum topics.

Grades 6-8

Students use Chromebooks at school and at home. Google apps are utilized on a daily basis and more in-depth skills are developed. In addition to producing essays and presentations, students often record and create videos and create websites. Students also utilize technology in STEM activities such as coding robots, creating circuits, and viewing augmented reality simulations. Students gain experience with a variety of media and tools that allow them to demonstrate their creativity and develop a wide range of technological skills.

District 2's one-to-one program gives all students in grades K-8 access to Chromebooks to use for school work. Students in grades K-8 take the chromebook home each day. The one-to-one Chromebook program prepares students for success in a global, technology-rich learning and working environment.

A Chromebook is a small laptop specifically designed to access the Internet. 

It runs on the Chrome operating system, which resembles the Google Chrome Internet browser. 

Through the District’s use of Google Apps for Education, Chromebooks utilize Internet resources, specialized apps, and software for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations similar to Microsoft Office. 

Chromebook Take-home Policy (English)

Chromebook Take-home Policy (Spanish)

Chromebook Use in the Classroom

The Chromebooks are used as a learning tool across all subject areas. The use of a variety of apps and Internet resources allows students to digitally communicate, collaborate, and create in the classroom. Students are using the Chromebooks to create and publish original work, practice specific skills, research curriculum topics, and explore their own interests.

Chromebook Program Features

• All students work through Bensenville District 2’s own Google domain, which has the same filtering safeguards as the District's Internet. 
• Google does not access data stored on District 2’s Google Drive unless authorized by the District.
• The Chromebooks operate in a technology environment similar to what is used in college and in the workplace.
• With a one-to-one program, students have increased access to technology and the opportunity to work collaboratively with teachers and classmates. 
• Student work is saved on Google Drive, which makes it accessible from any computer with an Internet connection. No additional software is required.
• Parents can access their child’s work and view content by using their child’s username and password from any Internet-enabled device.
• Teachers receive professional development throughout each school year to develop their knowledge and skills in relation to Google Workspace for Education applications. 

Does this mean students won’t learn how to write with a pen or pencil anymore?

• No, students will still use paper and pencil. They will just spend an increased amount of time typing, which will help them improve their keyboarding skills.

Will my child be learning a different curriculum?

• No, the curriculum and standards taught will be the same across the grade level. Chromebooks are a tool that will be used to deliver the curriculum.

How will you prevent cyberbullying?

• Students devices are monitored through the usage of GoGuardian. The same discipline procedures will be enforced as in any other situation of bullying or improper use of technology.

Will information about my child be stored or shared on the Internet?

• No, all students are registered with only a username and password. Any content put into Google Apps is safe from other organizations and is fully owned by District 2. Student data is also protected under federal and state privacy laws. Please refer to the Data Privacy Laws page for more details of how your child’s information is being protected.

Tips for Parents

1. Talk with your students about being safe online and using technology in positive ways.
   1. Parents' Ultimate Guides (Common Sense Media)
   2. Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between (Common Sense Media)
   3. App Info/Reviews (Common Sense Media)
       
2. Conversations to have at home about digital citizenship.
   1. Digital Citizenship Resources for Family Engagement
   2. Keeping Your Students (and Yourself) Safe on Social Media: A Checklist
   3. Do's (Not Don'ts) of Technology (see below)
       
3. Make use of parental controls
   1. Most devices, apps, and website offer parental controls, be sure to enable them on students’ devices at home.

(source:   Common Sense Media)

At-Home Digital Citizenship Activities for Families

• Digital Skills and Parent Tips for the Online World

Do's of Technology

• DO connect with experts via social media

• DO cultivate a positive digital presence
• DO develop coping skills for any negative experience
• DO utilize strong passwords of at least 12 characters
• DO recognize phishing emails and online fakes
• DO be aware of bias techniques
• DO know how to use Google Reverse Image Search and Google Alerts
• DO evaluate the source of all messages
• DO ask yourself “who’s making money from this message?”
• DO recognize your feelings of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) or Compare & Despair
• DO use appropriate manners when communicating online
• DO recognize your audience
• DO acknowledge copyright restrictions
• DO be aware of Terms of Use for apps

(source:   Julie Smith, professor at Webster University)

Bensenville School District 2 takes the privacy of our students' data seriously. This page intends to make transparent  and is working diligently to be compliant with the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) when it went into effect on July 1, 2021.

Links

• Student Data Privacy Laws (2 pages)
• SOPPA Details (1 page)
• The Parent's Guide to Educational Technology

Important Privacy Laws

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Governs information in a student’s education record, restricting access and use of student information.
• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): Restricts the collection of personal information from children under 13 by companies operating websites, games, mobile applications, and digital services that are directed to children or that collect personal information from individuals known to be children.
• Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA): Guarantees that student data is protected when collected by  educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only.
• Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA): Imposes certain requirements on schools that utilize the federal E-Rate program to receive discounts for internet access and other technology services, or that receive federal grants for other technology expenses.

What is SOPPA?

What happens to the student data that we send to a third party vendor?  Information like names, birthdates, etc... may be provided by Bensenville School District 2 to a third party like IXL, NWEA MAP, etc...  What protections do those companies have in place to make sure that our student's data is not sold or freely given to others?  This is exactly what SOPPA looks to address.

As part of SOPPA, these companies must enter into Data Privacy Agreements (DPA) with each district they work with.  These agreements outline what data is stored, how it is protected, what the company can and cannot do with that data, and what they will do in the event of a data breach.

Data Privacy Agreements (DPA)

Bensenville School District 2 leverages LEARN Platform, which is connected to the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC). This group is a unique collaborative of schools, districts, regions, territories and state agencies, policy makers, trade organizations and marketplace providers addressing real-world, adaptable, and implementable solutions to growing data privacy concerns.

• Click here to read more about the SDPC. 

Through the SDPC, the District enters into contracts with third-party vendors who handle our students' data.

• Click here to review District 2's DPAs.