By Avery Maier, ’13, Contributor
CCDS’s acceptable use policy—the guidelines by which students and faculty operate their computers at school—states that laptops are “to be used for educational purposes that serve the school’s mission” and that “playing games, chatting, and watching entertainment videos are not allowed during the school day (unless associated with a class).” Despite these guidelines, students and faculty agree that students often violate the policy, both in and outside of class.
“We can do a better job of helping students keep focused on the work of the academic day,” Upper School Division Head Stephanie Luebbers said.
“It was a big deal to follow the acceptable use policy when we first got our computers,” said Freshman Annie Nesbitt. “But now that we have had our computers for awhile, it isn’t as big of a deal if you don’t follow the policy. We are so used to Facebooking and doing stuff like that at home that we find it all right to do it at school.”
Mr. Fred Carey, senior dean of students, said, “It’s true that the vast majority of Upper School students are in technical violation of the acceptable use policy virtually all the time. I don’t view this as an act of defiance so much as one of the realities of the new technological paradigm. I also believe that the school’s acceptable use policy is outdated and is in need of substantial revision.”
“I try to be conscious of the potential distraction [of computers], knowing that I am very distracted [by them] myself,” said Mrs. Pat Dunn, English Department chair. “When a student is going back and forth [between schoolwork and something else], is that multi-use or abuse?”
Mrs. Dunn said that she can definitely tell when students aren’t paying attention. “[I know] when the arrow keys are going around.”
“Social networking sites are so much a part of how humans go through a day that the computer acceptable use policy needs to affect how young adults interact,” Mrs. Dunn added. “For example, instead of sending out a press release saying he was talking to Notre Dame, Brian Kelly posted it on his Twitter page.”
“At school, teachers don’t really crack down on the policy, so there isn’t really a punishment for students visiting those types of websites during class,” stated Sara Fitzgerald, ’13. “If there aren’t consequences, then there is no reason for students to cease visiting those websites. Students then start visiting those websites in excess at school.”
Jack Willingham, ’13, said, “When a teacher is present, the acceptable use policy is very useful, but as soon as the teachers turn their backs, it isn’t useful at all.”
According to Mr. Carey, the punishment for defying the acceptable use policy “depends on the nature of the infraction. If, for example, a student is on Facebook during class, or is gaming in study hall, then a detention would probably be sufficient; however, if the inappropriate computer use involves cyber-bullying, or if it puts the larger network at risk by virtue of a computer virus, then the consequences would be much more severe and would probably start with an appearance before Honor Council.”
“Respect is definitely a big issue in all of this,” said Dr. Jeremiah McCall, Grade 9 Humanities Coordinator. “When you are playing a game in class, I think it sends a pretty clear message that you are not respecting the class and teacher at that point.”
“When I see people playing games such as Fishville during class, it bugs me and is disruptive to my learning,” Sam Fossett, ’13, commented.
Most students were unwilling to say whether they played games during class because they didn’t want to admit to violating the policy.
Jimmy Stafford, ’10, said, “I go on Facebook during school, but so does almost everyone else. Those people just don’t want to admit that they do.”
Drawing by Kaitlyn Morgan.
