Acceptable Technology Use Policy for Students and Parents
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According to the article, “Why Have a Technology Policy in Your School or Library” on scholastic.com, it is imperative for teachers to have a technology policy for their students and students’ parents to sign because it prevents many problems while allowing schools to implement technology in the classroom, which is vital for the students’ future success. One reason it gives for having this policy is that it informs parents and students of the expectations that are set in regards to student use of technology in the classroom. This gives framework for the student interaction and behavior with the technology. It also reassures parents by providing them with the school’s commitment to keep students safe on the Internet while engaging them in a technology-friendly learning environment. It also prevents against and warns of plagiarism. The article also highlights a few items that should be found in the policy such as: philosophies of how technology best supports the learning of the class, the benefits of technology in the classroom, responsibilities of guardians, teachers, and students in utilizing the technology in the classroom, a statement abdicating responsibility of the school if improper use of the technology occurs, a statement concerning the school’s compliance and observance of state and federal laws regarding technology in the classroom and including Fair Use laws, and a statement regarding the student’s personal safety and wellbeing. The article recommends having parents to sign this policy (“Why Have a Technology Policy in Your School or Library”).
In observing Oak Park and River High School’ s Acceptable Technology Use Policy, one can observe several key points about which the school deemed necessary of informing parents and students and having them give a written consent to show their agreement with the policy. Their policy has six sections. The first is the purpose clause, which identifies the school’s reason for utilizing the technology as being the promotion of “educational excellence in the District by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication with the support and supervision of parents, teachers, and support staff.” The second section outlines the risks and rewards of using technology in the classroom. The school discusses its use of software to protect children against pornographic, obscene, and profane material, but it declares itself to not be liable if confidential material is leaked, if material is lost, or if information found using the technology is inaccurate. The third section outlines the students’ responsibilities concerning the technology. Some of these include using technology for purely educational purposes, not using the technology to share or store private information, to not use the technology to locate or transmit obscene or inappropriate material, to not use the technology to violate copyright laws, and several other important responsibilities. The fourth section addresses the punitive action that will be taken upon a student’s violation of this agreement in regards to his responsibility with the technology. This punishment is dependent upon the school and the transgression committed. The fifth section informs the students and parents of the public nature of the technology being used. The students’ private information is not protected on these devices. The final section gives the administration the authority to add or alter any of these policy points (www.oprfhs.org). This policy was well constructed as it thoroughly addressed the benefits, potential issues with, and responsibilities of students when using technology in the classroom. The fact that the students and parents sign this policy gives the schools the support they need if something were to go wrong.
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According to EducationWorld.com’s article, “Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)”, the National Education Association offers six key components that every school should include in its Acceptable Use Policy. The first is the preamble, which gives reasons for the creation of the policy as well as well as the goals it is designed to fulfill. The second is the definition section in which operational terms are defined. The third is the policy statement, which specified what particular technology services and devices are covered in this policy. The fourth is the acceptable uses section, which defines the ways students will use their technology i.e. for educational purposes only. The fifth section is the unacceptable uses section, which clarifies what student actions are prohibited in regard to the technology. The sixth section is the violations/sanctions section, which informs students of the protocol for them to follow if they witness a violation of the policy (“Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)”). This article discusses all of the main points of interest that should appear in an Acceptable Use Policy. All schools should follow this guideline as technology is crucial to student growth in today’s world and as the school must protect its students and itself in it implementation of technology in the classroom.
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For additional information:
Back to School: Teaching Proper Conduct in Today's Digital World (http://www.sierrasun.com/news/17860052-113/back-to-school-teaching-proper-conduct-in-todays)
Surveillance Society: Easy Student Targets for Data Miners (http://www.post-gazette.com/news/surveillance-society/2015/08/20/Surveillance-Society-Students-easy-targets-for-data-miners/stories/201508230018)
Parents' Guide to Student Data Privacy Policy Released by Advocacy Group (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2015/05/parents_guide_to_student_data_privacy.html)
Back to School: Teaching Proper Conduct in Today's Digital World (http://www.sierrasun.com/news/17860052-113/back-to-school-teaching-proper-conduct-in-todays)
Surveillance Society: Easy Student Targets for Data Miners (http://www.post-gazette.com/news/surveillance-society/2015/08/20/Surveillance-Society-Students-easy-targets-for-data-miners/stories/201508230018)
Parents' Guide to Student Data Privacy Policy Released by Advocacy Group (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2015/05/parents_guide_to_student_data_privacy.html)