Community Consolidated School District 15 recognizes the significant role technology plays in education and in the lives of present and future students. As a result, the mission of School District 15 is to produce world-class learners by building a connected learning community. A connected learning community shares information and resources, and provides access to information that will enable all residents to continue to learn throughout their lives. A connected community has maximum access to high-quality educational information in all formats and from many sources, and will provide high-quality assistance to information seekers.
School District 15 strives to provide a technology-rich learning environment in every classroom. The use of technology is consistent with the curriculum and the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities, and developmental levels of the students. Appropriate use and best practices are major concerns for technology use in School District 15. The district also has technology standards for students in Grades K-8.
Technology
District 15 recognizes that technology serves as a powerful tool to enhance teaching and learning. With this is mind, teachers and students have ready access to devices that allow for content creation, collaboration, inquiry, and problem-solving.
1:1 Student Chromebooks
Preparing students to be successful in a digital age and global economy is a responsibility that Community Consolidated School District 15 takes very seriously.
Essential skills that students must possess in order to meet the challenges and opportunities that will face them in their families, workplace, and community include the ability to:
- Think critically and solve problems;
- Effectively collaborate with others;
- Take initiative;
- Access and analyze information;
- Demonstrate high levels of oral and written communication;
- Remain curious and imaginative;
- Remain persistent;
- Take calculated risks;
- Tolerate failure;
- Be resilient.
—Wagner, T., & Compton, R. A. (2012).
Creating innovators: The making of young people who will change the world. New York: Scribner.
Technology represents a powerful and motivating tool that educators can use to teach, model, and reinforce these essential skills to students. As a result, Community Consolidated School District 15 issues a Chromebook to all students in Grades 3-8.
Students will be able to use their individual, district-issued, Chromebooks to access G Suites for Education, which are free learning tools that foster collaboration, exploration, and content creation.
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) has been developed to answer many questions that parents and students may have about this exciting new initiative. The FAQ and other information about the Chromebook initiative (e.g., optional insurance plan, claim forms, etc.) can be found on the District’s website.
Internet/Network Use Agreement
Electronic networks, including the Internet, are a part of the District’s instructional program to help promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. Students and parents must read and sign the Network Use Guidelines Letter of Agreement before students are granted use of the Internet. A copy of the agreement is available in all school offices.
Students who have a signed Network Use Guidelines Letter of Agreement form on file will, under the supervision of a staff member, be allowed to use the Internet to access appropriate learning resources. District 15 provides supervision and uses a commercial Internet filtering program to prevent access to materials that may be defamatory, inaccurate, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate in the school setting. It is impossible, however, to control all material, and a user may inadvertently discover inappropriate material. Ultimately, parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for setting and conveying standards for their children. Student use of inappropriate material or language or violation of copyright laws may result in a student’s loss of Internet privileges. Parents are legally responsible for their child’s actions.
