Technology is on the rise and there is a push for more computer technology in the classroom. With more technology comes more worries and fears about the uncensored Internet and what it might hold for children/students. These worries and fears are felt by both educators and parents. The "one strategy that many schools use to defuse such dangers is a student Acceptable Use Policy, or AUP, for the Internet." (Education World)
An Acceptable Use Policy is a policy that a school or district provides. It is a written outline of expectations of behavior when dealing with technology use. In most AUPs, the school will address unacceptable behavior and also positive goals of technology integration into the school day. The AUP is similar to a Terms of Service Document in that it "should define publicly what is deemed acceptable behavior from users of hardware and information systems such as the Internet and any applicable networks." (Common Sense Media) There is not one set way to write your AUP, however there are a few suggestions of things that should be included in your policy. When writing your policy, you need to make sure the language you use is simple and easy to understand by both students and parents. It also should be in the form of a contract where it is a signed document. The student, parents, teacher and the principal should sign and commit to the AUP. The policy should include a statement stating that although every attempt is made to limit access to unacceptable material, that inevitably it may happen. (Scholastic) The following suggesting are directly from Scholastic's article, Why Have a Technology Policy in Your School or Library?, which states that most Acceptable Use Policies include the following:
I think it is important to understand that the AUP alone is not enough. It is only as strong as the people who commit to it and enforce it. We have an extremely hard job as educators to be able to provide access to as much as we can in the digital world all while keeping our kids safe. The AUP is an important and integral part of maintaining safety while allowing and providing as much access to the Internet as possible. Here are some examples of Acceptable Use Policies: Saugutuck Elementary School - Westport, CT Hilldale Public Schools - Muskogee, OK Weston Public Schools - Weston, MA Middleton School District #134 - Middleton, ID Clark County School District - Las Vegas, NV References 1-to-1 Essentials - Acceptable Use Policies | Common Sense Media. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2016, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/1to1/aups Education World: Getting Started on the Internet: Acceptable Use Policies. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2016, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml Why Have a Technology Policy in Your School or Library? | Librarians | Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2016, from http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/tech/techpolicy.htm
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