USA: Crossing Borders - Acceptable Use Policies around the World
Living and learning internationally via the Internet certainly provides the means to learn from one another on educational topics that are vital to ensuring healthy learning environments. One of the most valuable facets of this type of global sharing is the ability for some areas of the world to preview the rise of new technologies, their associated issues, and subsequent solutions, as these technologies are adopted and spread throughout. For example, when it comes to the rapid advancement of cyber communication tools, there is a real need to learn from those who have already experienced the “latest and greatest”, and collaborate on ways to address the negative consequences that arise. Unfortunately growing safety and responsible use issues are sometimes overwhelming, and in our attempt to address each one comprehensively, basic foundational structuring of new policies is often overlooked. As schools in the U.S. deal with growing problems stemming from advancements in cyber technologies, there has been renewed interest among educators in updating the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to cover newly emerging issues and to provide each student with a meaningful document to learn from.
What is an AUP? It is a written agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of Internet use at school. It sets the rules of online behavior, privileges, and appropriate uses, and it covers the consequences or penalties when these terms are violated. Students, parents, and teachers usually sign it—and all should know that it will be kept on file and used as a legal and binding document (in the U.S). However, it should be used as more than a legal document to keep students in line online. It should be used as the very basis for teaching safety and responsible use.
i-SAFE has always been a proponent of creating meaningful AUPs for schools, and we are often asked to provide guidance on how to implement these policies. Beyond the basics of what participants are not allowed to do, the AUP should cover consequences for actions and issues. We recommend the development of a school action team to handle AUP violations or online issues. This team can consist of administrators, teachers, school resource officers, counselors, technology techs, etc. The goal of the team is to handle issues that come up and administer discipline. The need for a team approach is very handy when dealing with certain common issues such as cyber harassment for which there is never one specific answer but rather responses that are based on each situation.
Cyber harassment is just one of the fast growing issues that are plaguing our schools. Unfortunately many schools are realizing their AUPs do not cover such transgressions. More often than not, cyber harassment that begins off school grounds becomes a school issue as the school climate and safety/well being of those at school are adversely affected.
A solid AUP can make a world of difference in ensuring responsible cyber citizens in the school environment. i-SAFE has challenged U.S. schools and districts to examine their Acceptable Use Policies and work to make them more meaningful. We are also eager to learn from the experiences of others in the global cyber community. What role does the AUP play in your schools and how is content created, revised, and or updated? What are the newly emerging technologies targeted at youth that will soon reach us and will need to be addressed in these policies in the near future?
Please visit www.isafe.org to view the work of i-SAFE's Internet Safety Education and Outreach program, or contact terids@isafe.org regarding i-SAFE collaboration in your nation.
Comments
While i was reading this article i realised that our privacy could be invaded and so there are rules but they can still be over done of our personal things adn so regulations are accepted for the people, who want to keep their information personal, so tehr peopel like these who can help us but even, that could be certain ffor people are invading our privacy anyways,but every little bit helps.
Posted by: Al-x | February 6, 2007 08:16 PM