Safety & Security
FCPS takes many precautions to keep our students safe when using digital technology and to protect student data privacy. It is important for all students to also take precautions to help ensure their own digital safety and privacy. Please review with your child the following information from Common Sense Education about digital safety, privacy, and security and the tips they will receive this week via Schoology this week. Common sense media also provides this Family Media Agreement which could be used to guide your discussions and decide as a family what your digital citizenship priorities are.
CommonSense.org - Elementary - Privacy and Security
CommonSense.org - Secondary - Privacy and Security
Locating & Using Appropriate Resources / Validity
With so much media and information coming at us through the television, phones, social media, and more, it's more important than ever for kids to understand the basics of media literacy. When kids can identify different types of news and media and the methods and meanings behind them, they're on their way to being critical thinkers and smart consumers. Check out these tips from Common Sense Education Family Tips: Grades K-5 and/or Grades 6-12 to help your child find and select appropriate resources online.
Etiquette / Communication
Etiquette is often thought of as good manners, or polite behavior when among others. This etiquette also applies to the digital world. Being considerate and respectful to others should guide what students do in a digital environment and when communicating with others. Please review with your child the following information from Common Sense Education about digital etiquette and communications.
Digital Etiquette - Elementary
Digital Etiquette - Secondary
Health & Wellness
From phones and tablets to streaming movies and YouTube, tech and media are everywhere. Kids love easy access to shows, games, and information. Parents and caregivers love that kids can learn on the go (and stay busy when dinner's cooking). But it's easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pinging and the next episode plays automatically. Families can keep media and tech use in check by following a few simple practices. Please review with your child these five simple tips from Common Sense Education about media balance and well-being.
Rights & Responsibility
Many of the learning activities, educational programs, and services that FCPS teachers use with students involve interactive websites/tools that require a student login. These “Digital Tools” are thoroughly reviewed by our curriculum, technology, and student data teams prior to student use.
Digital citizenship is a responsibility. Students have access to digital tools, but it is also important to discuss with your child how they should use the digital tools at their disposal and how to responsibly use technology. As a user of technology, students have the right to privacy and the freedom of personal expression, as long as they are using the technology in an acceptable and appropriate manner. Check out this Digital Citizenship video from Common Sense Media.
Copyright / Fair Use / Digital Literacy
Students often use technology when creating projects in various different types of classes. Following Fair Use and Copyright Law is something children begin to learn about in school in early Elementary school. When creating projects, children need to be aware of copyright law and the appropriate ways they can use photos for a slideshow, presentation, or project at home or at school. Help your student understand these concepts and make sure they give credit to the original creators of material by reviewing this video from Common Sense Media.