Wikipedia defines
an acceptable-use policy (AUP) as a collection of rules established by the owner
or manager of a network, web site, or computer system. The AUP is designed to
regulate the way a network, website, or computer system is utilized. Acceptable
Use Policies are used by businesses, schools, and internet providers. An AUP is
considered one of the most important documents in an organization.
Almost every school system has an
AUP. The Lauderdale County Alabama
School System is no exception. Lauderdale County’s AUP states that their primary
goal is to use technology to support the education and instruction of the faculty
and students of the district. The policy goes on to list acceptable use guidelines.
The policy lists things like not duplicating copyrighted material, adhering to
software license agreements, installing software, downloading, protecting
personal files, and passwords.
The AUP also has a special section
for internet and email use. The policy states that the internet is provided to
the students and the staff to further education goals. The internet also allows
students and teachers to access resources outside of the physical school
setting. The policy gives a list of things that are not permitted. The list
contains things like sending offensive messages, violating copyright, using the
network for commercial or illegal use, and wasting limited resources.
Overall, Lauderdale County’s AUP is vague. There are no clear statements
about what they deem as acceptable use of the internet. There are however many
statements about how not to use the internet and other technologies provided by
the district. The AUP states that the user must employ acceptable and
responsible behavior when using the district’s internet and email services. The
AUP document does not define what the district deems to be acceptable behavior.
The AUP takes for granted that all the
students and teachers have the same opinion of about what is acceptable use of
the internet.
AUP documents are changing as quickly as technology. In order for an AUP to
be effective and relevant, it needs to reflect current technologies and proper
uses of current technologies. Teachers, students, parents, and administrators
need to fully understand their school system’s AUP.
I agree with you that school systems need to identify what they feel is acceptable behavior. It's also critical that, while everyone's opinion is different, teachers stress to their students what they feel is appropriate behavior. If the students go online "blindly," they will look (or try to look at, depending on the system's website blocking) anywhere for information. Teachers need to stress using proper search engines, acceptable websites, etc. to their students and model how to use the internet appropriately before sending them off on their own.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you also. Schools need to identify what they feel is acceptable behavior. Vague and general information does not express specifics. What I feel is acceptable, others may have a different opinion. Therefore, it is necessary for school districts to spell our word for word the expectations for all persons involved; students, parents, teachers, administrators, etc. I also feel there should be consequences for improper use of electronic devices provided students and teachers by a school district. Teachers need model how to use the internet appropriately before allowing students to search on their own. Not every site on the internet is safe, especially for children. We must monitor their activity to keep them safe Online.
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