Technology
Intro
Observation:
The need to know the capital of Florida died when my phone learned the answer. Rather, the students of tomorrow need to be able to think creatively: they will need to learn on their own, adapt to new challenges and innovate on-the-fly. As the realm of intellectual accessibility expands at amazing rates (due to greater global collaboration and access to information), students of tomorrow will need to be their own guides as they explore the body of information that is at their fingertips.
~~Anthony Chivetta (student) 1/22/2008
Mission:
The mission of the Ballinger Technology Team is to encourage the effective integration of technology with teacher training and curriculum development to establish research-based instructional methods that can be widely implemented as best practices by our teachers providing the resources and equipment needed for each student's success! The Ballinger ISD Technology Department is dedicated to helping all students become better prepared to meet the challenges of a more technological, diverse, and global society. Each learner is our paramount concern as we seek to create a learning environment where all children have the right and resources to progress and where all students are motivated to develop in both character and skills for a successful future.
The need to know the capital of Florida died when my phone learned the answer. Rather, the students of tomorrow need to be able to think creatively: they will need to learn on their own, adapt to new challenges and innovate on-the-fly. As the realm of intellectual accessibility expands at amazing rates (due to greater global collaboration and access to information), students of tomorrow will need to be their own guides as they explore the body of information that is at their fingertips.
~~Anthony Chivetta (student) 1/22/2008
Mission:
The mission of the Ballinger Technology Team is to encourage the effective integration of technology with teacher training and curriculum development to establish research-based instructional methods that can be widely implemented as best practices by our teachers providing the resources and equipment needed for each student's success! The Ballinger ISD Technology Department is dedicated to helping all students become better prepared to meet the challenges of a more technological, diverse, and global society. Each learner is our paramount concern as we seek to create a learning environment where all children have the right and resources to progress and where all students are motivated to develop in both character and skills for a successful future.
OVERVIEW OF DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY INFUSION GOALS:
- To meet the challenge of preparing all students in Ballinger Independent School District (ISD) for a technologically challenging future by complying with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills guidelines as set forth by the Texas Legislature.
- To better inform and utilize parents, community, and business leaders in the area of technology implementation. This goal includes a yearly school board presentation on Strategic Technology Planning.
- Allow technology to be implemented in a sequentially valid plan that apportions equipment from simple to complex through the grade levels (i.e. Kindergarten should not utilize equipment more advanced than the high school campus.) This policy will require reapportionment and/or migration of equipment at reasonable and predictable intervals.
- To allow all students to become more and more responsible for the use, care, and maintenance of equipment as they mature through the grades.
- To more profusely integrate technology tools in the curriculum as students move through the grade levels. New technologies, new techniques, and new skills will accompany each grade level in a logical, sequential, technology-infused curriculum.
- To commit Ballinger ISD in providing all students the most effective, current and real-world technologies so that all students may gain valuable, relevant, and marketable skills.
- To utilize technology in the district to meet student instructional needs and District administrative needs. Planning for technology will be driven by instructional objectives, student needs in achievement, curricular and instructional strategies, and administrative assessments for effectiveness. Hardware will never drive the Technology Plan.
- Inter-connectivity will be the priority of the Technology Plan. The ability to share resources, information, and ideas is one of the most important assets a school district can offer, second only to character development through a nurturing, caring spirit.
- Student safety is paramount with the district. Curriculum centered around Digital Citizenship, Cyber Bullying, and Internet Safety will be provided to all students. Parent education will be offered for parents on how to keep your student safe in the online world.
Safety and Security
Safety and Security
At Ballinger ISD, the safety of students, staff and visitors is one of our top goals and we take this responsibility very seriously. Our safety and security programs address prevention, intervention, student assistance, preparedness, emergency response and building security.
At Ballinger ISD, the safety of students, staff and visitors is one of our top goals and we take this responsibility very seriously. Our safety and security programs address prevention, intervention, student assistance, preparedness, emergency response and building security.
Ballinger ISD follows recommendations from the Texas School Safety Center. The district has an Emergency Operations Plan and all campuses have a Campus Emergency Management Plan that is specific to their campus needs.
We rely on the support of our students, parents and the community to keep our schools safe and we work closely with our local police and fire departments to coordinate prevention and response activities, perform security audits and provide training to all employees on security issues.
Sexting Prevention Education Program
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) has developed the following Sexting Prevention Educational Program for Texas in response to SB 407. This program may be used in part or in its entirety as an educational tool. There is also an accompanying test to demonstrate successful completion of this program. A certificate of successful completion is available for printing, upon answering 80% or more of the test questions correctly. The Sexting Prevention Educational Program places special emphasis on preventing sexting by minors to address the legal, social, emotional, educational and/or career impact.
Before You Text... - Sexting Prevention Educational Program
More resources for students and parents about the dangers of sexting can be found on the TxSSC wesbite.
Sexual Abuse
As a parent, it is important for you to be aware of warning signs that could indicate a child may have been or is being sexually abused. Sexual abuse in the Texas Family Code is defined as any sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare as well as a failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct with a child. Anyone who suspects that a child has been or may be abused or neglected has a legal responsibility, under state law, for reporting the suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or to Child Protective Services (CPS).
As a parent, it is important for you to be aware of warning signs that could indicate a child may have been or is being sexually abused. Sexual abuse in the Texas Family Code is defined as any sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare as well as a failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct with a child. Anyone who suspects that a child has been or may be abused or neglected has a legal responsibility, under state law, for reporting the suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or to Child Protective Services (CPS).
Possible physical warning signs of sexual abuse could be difficulty sitting or walking, pain in the genital areas, and claims of stomachaches and headaches. Behavioral indicators may include verbal references or pretend games of sexual activity between adults and children, fear of being alone with adults of a particular gender, or sexually suggestive behavior. Emotional warning signs to be aware of include withdrawal, depression, sleeping and eating disorders, and problems in school.
A child who has experienced sexual abuse should be encouraged to seek out a trusted adult. Be aware as a parent or other trusted adult that disclosures of sexual abuse may be more indirect than disclosures of physical abuse, and it is important to be calm and comforting if your child, or another child, confides in you. Reassure the child that he or she did the right thing by telling you.
As a parent, if your child is a victim of sexual abuse, the campus counselor or principal will provide information regarding counseling options for you and your child available in your area. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) also manages early intervention counseling programs. To find out what services may be available in your county, see
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Prevention_and_Early_Intervention/Programs_Available_In_Your_County/default.asp.
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Prevention_and_Early_Intervention/Programs_Available_In_Your_County/default.asp.
The following Web sites might help you become more aware of child sexual abuse:
Technology Integration
Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many. There's a place for tech in every classroom.
Technology is ubiquitous, touching almost every part of our lives, our communities, our homes. Yet most schools lag far behind when it comes to integrating technology into classroom learning. Many are just beginning to explore the true potential tech offers for teaching and learning. Properly used, technology will help students acquire the skills they need to survive in a complex, highly technological knowledge-based economy.
Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals.
Many people believe that technology-enabled project learning is the next logical progressive step of classroom instruction. Learning through projects while equipped with technology tools allows students to be intellectually challenged while providing them with a realistic snapshot of what the modern office looks like. Through projects, students acquire and refine their analysis and problem-solving skills as they work individually and in teams to find, process, and synthesize information they've found online.
The myriad resources of the online world also provide each classroom with more interesting, diverse, and current learning materials. The Web connects students to experts in the real world and provides numerous opportunities for expressing understanding through images, sound, and text.
New tech tools for visualizing and modeling, especially in the sciences, offer students ways to experiment and observe phenomenon and to view results in graphic ways that aid in understanding. And, as an added benefit, with technology tools and a project-learning approach, students are more likely to stay engaged and on task, reducing behavioral problems in the classroom.
Technology also changes the way teachers teach, offering educators effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through multiple means. It also enhances the relationship between teacher and student. When technology is effectively integrated into subject areas, teachers grow into roles of adviser, content expert, and coach. Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun.
Technology Responsible Use Guidelines
The Ballinger Independent School District (the “District”) is pleased to make available to employees (faculty, staff, consultants, contractors, temporary‐hires, and others), students, and approved parent and guest users access to the interconnected computer information systems within the District (the “Network”) and to the world‐wide network that provides various means of accessing significant and varied materials and opportunities (commonly known as the “Internet”).
Ballinger ISD (BISD) provides users access to the District’s electronic communications system for educational purposes. The District’s computer systems and networks (system) are any configuration of hardware and software. The electronic communications system includes but is not limited to the following:
- Telephones, cellular telephones, and voicemail technologies;
- Email accounts;
- Servers and network equipment;
- Computer hardware (including mobile devices, tablets, i-devices) and peripherals;
- Software including operating system software and application software;
- Digitized information including stored text, data files, email, digital images, and video and audio files;
- Internally or externally accessed databases, applications, or tools (Online/Internet- or District-server based);
- District-provided filtered Internet access;
- District-provided filtered guest Wi-Fi; and
- New technologies as they become available.
These technologies, when properly used, promote educational excellence in the District by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. Illegal, unethical or inappropriate use of these technologies can have dramatic consequences, harming the District, its students and its employees. The District students and employees will use district devices and accounts properly; using devices for political, religious, non-district self-gain, etc., are not permitted. These Responsible Use Guidelines are intended to minimize the likelihood of such harm by educating District system users and setting standards which will serve to protect the District. The District firmly believes that digital resources, information and interaction available on the computer/network/Internet far outweigh any disadvantages.
In order for the District to be able to continue to make its Network and the Internet access available, all users must take responsibility for appropriate and lawful use of this access. Users must understand that one person's misuse of the District technology hardware or software, Network and/or the Internet access may jeopardize the ability of all to enjoy this access. While the District's management and network administrators will make reasonable efforts to administer use of the Network and Internet access, they must have user cooperation in exercising and promoting responsible use of this access.