Wireless Technology Use in Schools - Algoma District School Board

More documents

Recommendations

Info

B.2 DIRECTOR’S REPORT TO THE BOARDDATE: 2011 12 20SUBJECT:WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY USE IN SCHOOLSBackground and Information (continued)2.1.5 We wanted to take this opportunity to provide our parent communities with thisinformation and to advise that the decision to implement wireless technology inall our schools was made based on information from Health Canada, AlgomaPublic Health and the Ministry of Education. Health Canada and the AlgomaPublic Health have provided us reassurance that there is no evidence that thetechnology places our students at risk. We have attached some informationfrom these sources as well as information from the World Health Organizationfor your reference. (Attachment B.2 #2) Also, on December 7, 2011 we sent aletter to all School Council Chairs to be shared with the parent community attheir school (Attachment B.2 #1).2.1.6 We are committed to continuing to monitor all sources of information and arealso maintaining open dialogue with the Ministry of Education, our local PublicHealth agency and other School Boards on this matter as we are not a guidingauthority on the research of the safety of this technology.2.1.7 The powerpoint presentation made at the Board meeting and additionalinformation (Attachment B.2 #2) presented at this meeting will be posted on ourwebsite (www.adsb.on.ca) following the meeting.2.2.0 Recommendation2.2.1 That the Board receive the report on Wireless Technology above forapproval to move forward with the plan to utilize this technology in ourschools as a tool to assist Teaching practice and engage students toimprove learning.2.3.0 Proposed Resolution2.3.1 That the Board receive the report on Wireless Technology above forapproval to move forward with the plan to utilize this technology in ourschools as a tool to assist Teaching practice and engage students toimprove learning.
ALGOMA DISTRICTSCHOOL BOARDAlgoma District School Board644 Albert St. EastSault Ste. MarieON P6A 2K7Telephone: (705) 945-7111FAX: (705) 942-2540www.adsb.on.caDirector’s Report 2011 12 20Attachement B.2 #1CHAIRWanda McQueenDIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONMario F. TurcoDecember 7, 2011Dear School Council Chair:There has been much media attention in the past several months regarding conflictingviews on the use of wifi/wireless technology, particularly as it pertains to cell phones andyouth. The increased media attention has prompted some questions about the use ofwireless technology in our schools.All of our secondary schools and a few of our Sault Ste. Marie elementary schools have beenutilizing wireless technology for the past year or so. Effective Friday, November 4, 2011, weexpanded the use of wireless technology to all our elementary schools as well. As youmay be aware, almost all of our elementary classrooms and most of our secondaryclassrooms are equipped with a laptop and a data projector, thereby allowing our teachersto incorporate technology into their lessons and to model effective practices forstudents. This commitment was made to ensure that we are modelling and assistingstudents with technology skills that will be needed in their future education and futureworkplaces.Our decision to increase access to wireless technology came from numerous inquiries fromparents across our district who wanted their children to be able to bring and use their ownlaptops at school as well as discussions with our Trustees and a review of practices inother School Boards. Additionally, our staff members have indicated that by allowingmore technology in the classroom, teachers would be able to provide enhanced learningopportunities for students as well as teach students how to access and evaluateinformation on the web to ensure they are relying on accurate and reputable sources. Ineducation, these skills are referred to as "critical literacy skills," and research indicatesthat developing critical literacy skills from Kindergarten to Grade 12 is fundamental notonly to literacy development, but also to problem-solving and creative thinking. Also,critical literacy skills are particularly relevant and necessary in the world of work.For some students, having access to technology throughout the day is essential to meet theirlearning needs. As well, additional technology can allow for increased opportunities forsmall groups to interact, increase the integration of technology into a variety of subjectareas, and for diverse teaching and learning opportunities. For these reasons, the Board hasbeen investing in laptops and Netbooks to allow for the flexible use of computersthroughout the school and in a variety of classroom settings.
Page 1: B.2 DIRECTOR’S REPORT TO THE BOAR
Page 5 and 6: Director’s Report 2011 12 20Attac
Page 9 and 10: WHO Electromagnetic fields and publ
Page 13 and 14: Algoma District School BoardDirecto
Page 15 and 16: USEFUL GENERAL INFORMATION LINKS:1.
Page 17 and 18: and regulators, including the World
Page 19 and 20: October 2011Updated: IT’SYOUR HEA
Page 21 and 22: How do Health Canada's exposure gui
Page 23 and 24: November 8, 2011MARIO TURCOALGOMA D
Page 25 and 26: News ReleaseCommuniqué16, 2010ON T
Page 27 and 28: Wireless Technology and Health Outc
Page 29 and 30: Table 1 - Comparison of measured RF
Page 31 and 32: This most recent review summarizes
Page 33 and 34: The adolescents, but not the childr
Page 35 and 36: 16. World Health Organization. Stat
Page 37 and 38: WHO | Electromagnetic fields and pu
Page 39 and 40: networks. No consistent evidence of

Wireless Technology Use in Schools - Algoma District School Board

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?