Technology is a vital component of the 21st Century classroom, but providing students access to technology is wrought with challenges and obstacles that must be overcome by teachers and administrators in order to provide for a safe and productive learning environment.
In 2000, Congress enacted the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to “address concerns about children’s access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet” ("Consumer Guide Children's Internet Protection Act", n.d.). CIPA requires schools and libraries to take to create a policy that enompasses:
“(a)access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet;
(b) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications;
(c) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities by minors online;
(d) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and
(e) measures restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them” ("Consumer Guide Children's Internet Protection Act", n.d.).
One method for school districts wishing to comply with CIPA and address the challenges involved in providing minors with access to digital technology is to establish and Acceptable use Policy. An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) can help establish guidelines for technology use for students, faculty, and staff by clarifying appropriate and inappropriate technology use and the consequences for violating the terms of acceptable use (Mitchell, n.d.). The National Education Association recommends the inclusion of six key components in an Acceptable Use Policy. These components are:
While the six components listed above are considered the essential core elements of an Acceptable Use Policy. Acceptable Use Policies will also frequently contain a location for signatures. Often access is not granted until an Acceptable Use Policy is signed and on file for anyone requesting access ("Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) ", n.d.).
A good Acceptable Use Policy can help to ensure that students are protected from inappropriate content while simultaneously providing the community with assurances that children can safely use technology in school. This could also be beneficial to teachers who may have to respond to parental concerns about technology use in the classroom. Studying different policies may be helpful to administrators and technology coordinators. The following acceptable use policies are all from different school districts in the San Antonio area. It is interesting to note the similarities and differences between all of the different district policies within a 30 mile radius. Some school district policies were not included because they are only accessible via the student handbook. .
Alamo Heights ISD AUP
Boerne ISD AUP
North East ISD AUP
Schertz Cibolo Universal City ISD AUP
South San Antonio ISD AUP
Nicolas Hernandez
In 2000, Congress enacted the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to “address concerns about children’s access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet” ("Consumer Guide Children's Internet Protection Act", n.d.). CIPA requires schools and libraries to take to create a policy that enompasses:
“(a)access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet;
(b) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications;
(c) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities by minors online;
(d) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and
(e) measures restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them” ("Consumer Guide Children's Internet Protection Act", n.d.).
One method for school districts wishing to comply with CIPA and address the challenges involved in providing minors with access to digital technology is to establish and Acceptable use Policy. An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) can help establish guidelines for technology use for students, faculty, and staff by clarifying appropriate and inappropriate technology use and the consequences for violating the terms of acceptable use (Mitchell, n.d.). The National Education Association recommends the inclusion of six key components in an Acceptable Use Policy. These components are:
- a “preamble” to explain the purpose and scope of the document
- a “definition section” to ensure that technical terms are understood and applied in proper context
- a “policy statement” to describe what types of computer or technology use are covered under the policy and how access to computer technology will be issued.
- an “acceptable uses section” which defines the circumstances and under which the technology can be used
- an “unacceptable uses section” which clearly describes what types of computer or technology use are inappropriate
- a “violations and sanctions” section which explains the consequences and penalties for violating the Acceptable Use Policy
While the six components listed above are considered the essential core elements of an Acceptable Use Policy. Acceptable Use Policies will also frequently contain a location for signatures. Often access is not granted until an Acceptable Use Policy is signed and on file for anyone requesting access ("Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) ", n.d.).
A good Acceptable Use Policy can help to ensure that students are protected from inappropriate content while simultaneously providing the community with assurances that children can safely use technology in school. This could also be beneficial to teachers who may have to respond to parental concerns about technology use in the classroom. Studying different policies may be helpful to administrators and technology coordinators. The following acceptable use policies are all from different school districts in the San Antonio area. It is interesting to note the similarities and differences between all of the different district policies within a 30 mile radius. Some school district policies were not included because they are only accessible via the student handbook. .
Alamo Heights ISD AUP
Boerne ISD AUP
North East ISD AUP
Schertz Cibolo Universal City ISD AUP
South San Antonio ISD AUP
Nicolas Hernandez
References
Consumer Guide Children's Internet Protection Act. (n.d.). . Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.pdf
Getting Started on the Internet: Acceptable Use Policies. (n.d.). Education World:. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml
Mitchell, B. (n.d.). Introduction to Acceptable Use Policies (AUP). About.com Wireless / Networking. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://compnetworking.about.com/od/filetransferprotocol/a/aup_use_policy.htm
Getting Started on the Internet: Acceptable Use Policies. (n.d.). Education World:. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml
Mitchell, B. (n.d.). Introduction to Acceptable Use Policies (AUP). About.com Wireless / Networking. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://compnetworking.about.com/od/filetransferprotocol/a/aup_use_policy.htm