Technology Use Scenario

Scenario #8: Mr. Scott, principle of Rural High School, is walking through the library and sees a student working on a computer. Looking down, he sees that the student is on a music site that requires a credit card to purchase music. Mr. Scott informs the student that the district's acceptable use policy does not allow buying items online using school computers. Should these actions be allowed in school? Why or why not?

In this Scenario the student is using technology in an inappropriate way. This is because the student is violating the districts use policy by going on a site on school property that requires a credit card to purchase music. This act may be considered appropriate to some because the student is actually trying to buy music instead of downloading it illegally. However the fact of the matter is the student is still violating the schools policy making the act inappropriate. As a digital citizen every individual has rights and responsibilities that they should be following. If this student is using a computer on school property in inappropriate ways then it's the students responsibility to learn the rules set forth by the school if they wish to use their property.

I also believe part of the blame falls on the school itself as they have a responsibility to make sure their property is not being misused. The school should have proper fire walls and security measures in place to prevent students from misusing the computers. The teachers also have a responsibility to teach the students about proper technology use. This can be seen here under the rights and responsibilities of a digital citizen.

Instead of the student going on this site on school computers, they should have waited until they were at home on a personal computer. Another way to make this act appropriate would be to ask permission from a person in charge, if they in fact allow you to access this site then the act could be deemed appropriate.