In Granite School District, we want students to use technology to learn, create, and stay safe online. Every student has access to a Chromebook and a variety of digital tools that support learning in and out of the classroom. This site gives families and students quick access to resources about digital citizenship, online safety, approved software, and ways to get help when technology questions come up.
Digital Citizenship
Granite School District wants all of our students to be good digital citizens. This will empower them to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in a digital world.
Digital Citizenship Resources
The ISTE digital citizenship framework is structured around 5 qualities that every student should develop to use technology proactively and productively:
- Be balanced: understand when and how much tech use is healthy
- Stay informed: discern between true and false information
- Be inclusive: treat others with respect and kindness online
- Be engaged: use tech to strengthen family relationships and community connections
- Stay alert: exercise caution and create safe digital spaces for others.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft in which someone intentionally or negligently takes someone else’s work or ideas and passes them off as their own without giving them proper credit. Plagiarism can be committed by copying text, failing to cite sources, paraphrasing without attribution, or improperly collaborating on work. Several of our high schools use CopyLeaks, a plagiarism detection system that is built into Canvas. There is also an Originality Detector available in Google Classroom should teachers using Google Classroom choose to use it. Refer to your child’s school for specific policies on plagiarism.
Screen Time
Rather than focusing on time, the Educational Technology department stresses the importance of active (critical thinking, coding, making global connections, design and production, etc) versus passive (filling out digital worksheets or consuming digital content without reflection or participation) use of technology.
We encourage teachers to use one of a variety of research-based educational technology frameworks to support foundational teaching skills.
Parents are encouraged to monitor their student’s screen time use at home.
AI in the Classroom
Through a statewide purchasing agreement with the Utah Education Network, Granite School District has adopted SchoolAI as its primary AI tool for student learning and teacher instruction
Online Safety
Granite School District uses a variety of tools to protect and monitor our students online. Find out more in the drop down menu.
Approved Software
GSD uses the Learn platform to communicate to stakeholders about what software is approved for use in our school district. For more information about what software is approved and the approval process, visit the Learn platform website.
Safety Monitoring (Bark)
GSD uses a tool called Bark to monitor student behavior within Google Apps for Education. Bark monitors and notifies GSD administrators of safety concerns.
In-Class Monitoring (LanSchool Air)
During school, students’ internet activity can be monitored by teachers using a tool called LanSchool Air. With this tool, teachers can see what every student is doing on their Chromebook. They can also create custom block lists and allow lists of websites to help students focus on only the sites necessary for learning.
Web Filtering (iBoss)
GSD uses a service called iBoss to filter internet traffic on all devices connected to district networks as well as student Chromebooks no matter what network they’re connected to, including home networks. The link below provides an overview of Granite’s filtering measures.
Student Devices
Our students have access to district technology resources to support their educational journey.
Student Technology Agreement
At the beginning of each school year, parents and students agree to our district’s technology terms and conditions regarding the use of our district technology resources.
Cell Phone Policy
Personal electronic devices are now prohibited during the school day in grades K-8, and prohibited during instructional time for grades 9-12. For more information regarding the specifics of this policy, contact your students’ school.
Chromebook Access
All students in GSD have 1-1 access to chromebooks as a learning tool. Elementary (K-5) students have access to chromebooks in their classes; secondary students (6-12) have access to chromebooks in their classes and home use (some junior high students may have to visit the media center to check out a home device with parent permission). For more specific information, please reach out to your student’s school.
Chromebook Care
Students are responsible for the chromebook assigned to them. This includes handling the device with care, keeping the device charged and up to date, and using the device as instructed. Teachers review Chromebook procedures at the beginning of each year.
Chromebook Troubleshooting, Damaged Lost, or Stolen Devices
If your student’s assigned Chromebook is damaged, lost or stolen, please report this to your student’s teacher or school. Fines may be issued on a case-by-case basis. For technical support with your student’s Chromebook, contact the GSD helpdesk at techhelp@graniteschools.org or by phone at (385) 646-4524.
Tutorials and Tech Help
Granite School District offers support for students and families to troubleshoot district-provided devices and tutorials to navigate our learning platforms. For more information, use our drop down menu.
Help Desk
GSD’s helpdesk is available to support families with district-provided devices, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. They can be reached via email at techhelp@graniteschools.org or by phone at (385) 646-4524.
Travel Exemption Request
If your family plans on traveling out of the state of Utah and plans to either use their district-provided device or access district resources like email or Clever, your district account may be disabled due to a security process. To avoid your account getting disabled, fill out a travel request exemption with the dates you are going to be out of state.
Canvas Parent Observer Accounts
Some elementary school classes and all secondary (6-12) classes use Canvas as a learning management platform. Parents are able to create observer accounts to view their student’s activities, assignments and assessments.
Focus Parent Portal
The Focus parent portal was created to give parents/guardians a single location for accessing information about all of their students, and their students’ schools. Through the Parent Portal, you can see grades, attendance, report cards, and other information about your students. You can also access links to pay for school lunch, access coursework, access your school’s webstore to pay fees, and more.
Clever
Clever is a digital portal for students to access learning tools like iReady, Sora, and more . Students are able to login using a single sign-on method for ease of access.