Perkins County Schools hosts speaker on digital understanding

Karen Haase of KSB School Law in Lincoln gave several presentations on Jan. 18 at Perkins County Schools.
Attending the presentations were school staff, grade 3-12 students and it was open to the public, said Ben Jones, 7-12 principal.
The presentation was titled “Digital Citizenship.”
Each presentation was a little different due to the age differences and ensuring the content was appropriate for each age group.
“The presentations touched on the proper use of technology, our role in digital citizenship and the consequences for not following digital citizenship laws/rules,” Jones said.  
Haase did a great job of conveying the message as well as the issues that can come up if technology is used inappropriately, he added.
Jones said school educators are always looking at ways to educate students on using digital media/social media platforms in a positive and safe way.
During her presentations, Haase discussed actual cases that are happening.
“She believes in ‘keeping it real’,” Jones continued.
“We want our students to have a strong digital understanding of a proper social media presence,” he said.
A statement taken from the KSB School Law site reads:
“KSB believes passionately that schools should use technology to increase engagement and student achievement.  
As a result, we work tirelessly to be a leading authority at how digital citizenship intersects with education.  
Sadly, all too often we see the negative side of digital communication when students as well as adults misuse technology.  
A digital citizen is a person who utilizes information technology in order to engage in society, politics and government and who uses the internet regularly and effectively.”
Jones said he felt the presentations were well-received.
He also commented that Haase does a good job of engaging the audience and getting her message across.
“After the presentations, students asked me and fellow staff members questions about what was presented and how it could impact them,” said Jones.
    Haase is a partner in the law firm of KSB School Law, where she focuses her practice exclusively on representing public school districts and related entities.  
She holds degrees from Hastings College, Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Prior to attending law school, she taught at both the high school and post-secondary level.