Smarter Clicking

Christopher Wells is the IT policies and communications director for Gwinnett County Public Schools, the largest school district in Georgia. With more than 160,000 students in the district, he responds to the diverse, creative ways technology is being used in classrooms. Christopher presents regularly and his enthusiasm for his topic material is contagious (even if the audience thinks that technology policies and procedures are boring!). By incorporating realistic examples and messages with humor, compassion, and vision, Christopher consistently engages diverse audiences and leaves listeners focused and energized on the development of new resources for students and teachers. In the past, he worked for Arthur Andersen, a global consulting firm, and developed and managed a global distance learning consulting practice. Prior to that, Christopher was a high school science and computer science teacher, developing curricula for biology, ecology, environmental science, oceanography, science research, and AP Pascal classes.Christopher is a graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, earning his BS in science education and biology and an MS in computer education with an emphasis on instructional technology. He is currently a PhD student at Walden University’s College of Management and Technology in leadership and organizational change. Christopher is still actively involved in several organizations that involve youth and the natural world, including a youth retreat movement for middle school students and a sea turtle research project run on Wassaw Island, Georgia.

• About the AuthorPreface1. Optional No Longer: The Need for Effective School Technology PoliciesWhy school technology policies are essentialLegal policy requirementsComparing technology expectations and correlating policiesUsing policies to shape instructional expectations for technology2. It’s Everyone’s Responsibility: A Collaborative Approach to Technology Policy DevelopmentLeading technology policy development and implementationPolicy development and implementation responsibilitiesComparing the policies of school and home technology usePolicies for the larger learning community outside of schoolInvolving more learning community members in policy development3. Good Fences Make Good Users: Policies for Protecting PrivacyStudent and staff privacy: the policy perspectiveManaging sensitive instruction-related informationGuidelines for protecting student informationThe emerging social networking challenge4. Keeping Money in the Checking Account: Policies for Protect Technology InvestmentsThe real cost of innovation in the classroomEducating and the investment cost of technologyDeveloping policies to address the changing scope of educational technology investments5. Knowing the Secret Handshake: Technology Access PoliciesEvaluating school technology functions and related policiesDeveloping Acceptable use policies (AUPs)Using passwords to secure access6. Buttons, Bells, and Flashing Lights: Managing K-12 Internet UseInternet applications in the classroomPolicy development to support instructional internet usePolicies to protect others’ privacy and personal rights7. No Stone Unturned: Implementing Technology Policies and ProceduresExploring the impact of policies on the learning cultureShaping the culture with school technology policies and proceduresSupporting culture change with technology team membersManaging community response to school technology policiesPreventing conflicts over policy components8. In My Crystal Ball, I See…: Emerging Technology ConcernsPolicy challenges of ubiquitous technologyAddressing emerging technology and limiting risksPolicy development to support future appropriate school technology useResourcesReferencesIndex

"Wells has carefully shared important information, examples, and resources that would be helpful to any district that is continually developing policies and procedures in technology. The author has developed a wonderful field guide for those who are charged with developing such policies."