AP 670: Personal Mobile Devices
Communication & Technology
Background
The Government of Alberta promotes the improvement of learning outcomes by supporting a distraction-free learning environment that promotes children’s and students’ well-being and limits opportunities for conflict and targeted mean behaviour (bullying).
The Superintendent promotes that students are entitled to welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self, and therefore recognizes that the use of personal mobile devices can be used to harm, create conflict, and otherwise compromise the learning environment.
This Administrative Procedure sets the operational standards for the utilization and limitation of personal electronic devices in schools.
Definitions
a) Personal Mobile Device: Shall refer to any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with, or access, the Internet, such as a cellphone, tablet, laptop, or wearable technology, including a smartwatch.
b) Social Media: Shall refer to any form of digital communication, involving websites, applications and virtual arenas, that enable users to create and share content online, and that enables any form of participation in electronic social networking; notably, but not limited to:
a. Social networking sites (e.g., Discord, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Snapchat);
b. Video and Photo Sharing sites (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, Flickr, Vimeo);
c. Live streaming platforms (e.g., Facebook Live, Periscope);
d. Blogs, specifically personal blogs that are intended for social commentary;
e. Electronic messaging (e.g., iMessage, Whatsapp); and
f. Comment sections of online news sites.
Limitations on Use and Exceptions:
1. Students are prohibited from use of personal mobile devices during instructional time.
1.1. Any Internet/network accessible, wearable technology shall be considered to be a personal mobile device, and therefore shall be prohibited during instructional time, (i.e., smart watches, smart glasses, smart headphones, or similar smart devices).
2. The Principal may additionally limit or prohibit the use of personal mobile devices during the school day, or during school activities beyond the regular school day, and inclusive of offsite activities.
3. Students in possession of a personal mobile device shall ensure that device(s) are powered off, and stored out of view;
3.1. Acceptable storage shall include the student’s locker, backpack/bag, or a space provided for by the teacher; and
3.2. Acceptable storage shall not include storage on the student’s person unless the device is visibly powered off and permission is granted by the teacher.
3.3. For clarity, a smartwatch is considered a restricted device within the Ministerial Order (14/2024) and therefore smartwatches shall be powered off, and stored out of view.
4. The Principal may provide for limited use of personal mobile devices within the following circumstances:
4.1. Limited use of personal mobile devices shall be permitted, as determined by the Principal, for health or medical reasons, or to support special learning needs; or
4.2. Specific, limited use of personal mobile devices may be permitted, as determined by the Principal, for educational or other purposes.
5. Student access to social media, on school networks or on school devices is prohibited.
5.1. The Principal may provide reasonable and limited use of social media directly related to a specific school project or learning task.
5.2. Students may access social media on their own devices and networks only as permitted and where permitted by the Principal.
6. Staff shall communicate to students that, regardless of availability, any site that may be accessed for social commentary between students should not be used; notably:
6.1. Social media sites and/or services shall be removed from school device access as they are identified; and
6.2. A list of restricted social media shall be updated periodically on the Technology for Learning section of the Parkland School Division website; however
6.2.1. It shall be foreseeably understood that emergent social media sites are restricted as necessary and therefore may be removed from student accessibility prior to updating the public list.
7. The Principal shall ensure that matters related to mobile device use and restrictions, and social media use and restrictions, are reviewed annually in alignment with the review of the school’s code(s) of conduct.
Staff Expectations
8. Staff shall provide clarity, to students, with respect to student limitations and exceptions in a manner that is consistent, and in accordance with the expectations established by the Principal.
9. Staff shall adhere to AP 360 – Student Discipline, for response to disciplinary matters related to this procedure.
Parental Expectations
10. Parents shall support school staff, in demonstrating an understanding to students, that the purpose of the Ministerial Order, and subsequently this Administrative Procedure, is to minimize distractions with respect to learning; notably
10.1. Parents shall establish alternate communication plans, including the use of the school office phone, when emergencies arise;
10.2. Parents shall encourage their child to adhere to the school’s personal mobile device procedures
