School Board To Tweak Technology Policies For Students

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — As technology advances faster than restrictions and guidelines can be placed on it, schools are left to issue rules regarding tech usage in more of a reactive manner. This month, the Mountain Brook Board of Education looked at ways to tweak policies regarding use of technology in schools by students this year.

Mountain Brook Schools Director of Student Services Amanda Hood presented some policy updates at Monday's Board of Education meeting.

The latest round of revisions ensures that the district's technology policy stays in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Hoo said - citing the example of including closed captioning on videos. Hood said the revisions also address security measures concerning data governance, data collection and data privacy, according to a Village Living report.

New guidelines will outline the responsible use of websites and social media by faculty and students, in addition to emerging technology like smartwatches and voice-activated devices like Amazon's Alexa, Hood said.