How to Stay Out of High-Tech Trouble
While computers and other high-tech equipment bring many benefits to educators,
they can also create problems if educators aren’t careful. Here are some helpful tips and reminders for staying out
of high-tech trouble.
Computer basics
The primary function of computers is to store, manipulate and retrieve information. While this is
tremendously useful in many applications, it is critical to remember that your computer is storing
information about you and your use of it whether you intend it to or not.
If you use a computer at school, you should know:
- Any material you save on the computer hard drive or network is accessible by someone else,
even if you have a password.
- Once you save a file, it can be recovered from the hard drive even if it has been deleted.
- Every Web site you visit can be tracked, even if you delete the name of the site from the
browser history.
- Districts can buy software to track the Web sites accessed on an individual computer, as
well as the time of day they were accessed. This software will not distinguish between sites
accessed by a student vs. those accessed by adult employees.
- If you access a Web-based e-mail service at school, the district can track your visits to
the site, even though they probably won’t be able to see the individual e-mails you send and
receive through the service—that is, unless you save them on the hard drive.
- Even anonymous e-mail can sometimes be traced.
Internet
- If you access the Internet on a school-owned computer, be sure to use the computer in
compliance with district policy. If you are not permitted to access the Internet for personal
use on your school computer, limit your use to school-related purposes and keep records of your
usage.
- If you inadvertently stumble across an inappropriate Web site, exit it as soon as you
determine what it is, and tell your supervisor about the incident.
- If your district allows limited personal use of the Internet on its computers, exercise
professional judgment with the sites you access. Remember that your supervisor can discover what
sites you have visited.
- Remember that even if your district allows you some personal use, you may be subject to
employment action, including written reprimands, loss of computer use or termination, if you access illegal material or material that is harmful or inappropriate to possess in
a school.
E-mail
- As with the Internet, you should use e-mail for personal communications only when your
district’s policy specifically allows for it. Even then, do not assume the e-mail is private.
The district has access to any and all files stored on school-owned computers. Personal comments
and observations about students or colleagues may be “overheard,” so you should use extreme
caution and good judgment.
- Likewise, personal business, including business conducted on behalf of a professional
organization, should not be handled on a district-provided e-mail system unless district policy
allows for such use.
Other technology in the workplace
Cell phones and other personal communication devices can provide educators with a convenient
way to conduct necessary business. However, any personal activities you conduct during the school
day should be in compliance with district policies and the expectations of your supervisor.
Also, if your campus provides a voice-mail system, be aware that the district has
the right to access messages, so handle personal business accordingly.
Outside-of-school activities
Remember that your private life is not necessarily private when it is on the Internet. Certain
activities on the Internet, if discovered by co-workers, students or supervisors, can cause
employment problems.
Participation in chat rooms, postings on bulletin boards and personal or
commercial Web sites that contain information about or images of you can all subject you to
potential problems. Use extreme caution and impeccable professionalism if you place any
information on a Web site that would enable someone to identify you. Although obvious, it’s worth
mentioning that what you do on your summer vacation out of state might as well be done in the
center of your hometown if you post it on the Internet.
Ask permission before distributing material from the Web
Realize that material on the Web is not public property and that all copyright and trademark
laws apply. If you print or reproduce any material from the Web for distribution in a classroom,
you should first ask the permission of the owner, unless it falls under fair-use standards. (See
"Fair use" of
Copyrighted Works.)
Potential pitfalls
Keep these tips in mind to avoid the most common high-tech problems employees find themselves
facing:
- Read your district’s computer usage policies and adhere to them. Is personal use allowed or
prohibited?
- Stay away from inappropriate Web sites, even if district policy allows personal use of the
Internet.
- Keep all e-mail professional and business-like, especially when you are writing to or about
students, colleagues or supervisors.
- Use caution in posting identifiable personal information on Web sites, and never discuss a
student in a way that would allow someone to identify the student.
___________________________
The legal information provided on this Web site is for general purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for
individual legal advice or the provision of legal services. Accessing this information does not create an
attorney-client relationship. Individual legal situations vary greatly and readers should consult directly with an
attorney. Eligible ATPE members should contact the ATPE Member Legal Services Department using our
online system, MLSIS.
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