Melissa Fincher, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent, Assessment & Accountability [email protected]
Fincher,E Policy
-
Upload
emily-cromer-fincher -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
0
Transcript of Fincher,E Policy
-
8/3/2019 Fincher,E Policy
1/4
Emily Fincher - Policies and Procedures
Emily Fincher
FRIT 7132
February 21, 2011
Internet/Acceptable Use
The purpose of an Internet/Acceptable Use Policy is to define who and how Internet
service and content provided by the school system are used. Most school districts require
students and faculty to sign a written form of this agreement. With an estimated sixty-five
percent of Georgia classrooms containing computers and situations brought on by ever-evolving
Web 2.0 technology, an Internet /Acceptable Use Policy is a necessity in every school district
(Georgia K-12 Technology, 2008). Reasons may include:
letting parents know the schools expectations regarding Internet use.
informing students about privileges and responsibilities regarding Internet use.
to educate students on the vast amount of information available on the Internet and steps
they should take to identify legitimate sites.
to explain proper Internet etiquette.
to warn students against disclosing personal identification on the Internet.
to outline how rules of behavior are enforced.
to give details about legal issues such as copyright infringement and plagiarism.
to discourage any type of illegal behavior.
to set rules for email use if email accounts are issued to students and faculty.
to establish rules regarding social networking sites. (Scales 2009)
-
8/3/2019 Fincher,E Policy
2/4
Emily Fincher - Policies and Procedures
While essential elements of an Internet/Acceptable Use Policy should include specific policies
on content, access and privacy, other elements may need to be addressed depending on the
school district (Cromwell, 2007). An Internet/Acceptable Use Policy may also include:
Statement of Policy: a blanket mission statement regarding the goals of the school
district in utilizing technology.
Rights and Privileges: may include a statement of the school districts right to place
responsibility and restrictions on users; a statement regarding e-mail accounts both school
and private; consequences should the user fail to comply with policy guidelines and
statement of students right to request that a specific site be unblocked for research
purposes.
Unacceptable Use: illegal activity, unauthorized downloading, gaining unauthorized
access, using network for commercial or private advertising, accessing offensive sites,
revealing personal identity.
Network Etiquette: showing politeness to other users as you are representing that school
district while their computers are in use.
Security: protocol for identifying a security issue and what disciplinary action will be
taken.
Vandalism: a statement of disciplinary action concerning any attempt to harm or destroy
data on the schools network.
Viruses: a statement releasing the school from any responsibility brought forth by viruses
that may have been acquired on school computers.
Filters: statements regarding compliance with the Childrens Internet Protection Act
(Scales 2009).
-
8/3/2019 Fincher,E Policy
3/4
Emily Fincher - Policies and Procedures
Both pros and cons exist with utilizing internet resources in educational settings. While
the internet is not designed exclusively for children, it does offer unlimited educational resources
if appropriately used. At the same time, hidden dangers are lurking for students should the
technology be abused. Internet/Acceptable Use Policies are in place to let students, parents,
faculty and staff knows the expectations regarding Internet use.
In the school district where I am employed, a strict Internet/Acceptable Use Policy has
been in place since 2009. Even in two years, the Internet has turned out a wide selection of
resources that may not be covered in our current policy. These agreements should be continually
reviewed and updated (Endicott-Popovsky 2009). As Internet/Acceptable Use Policies are
updated, student rights to access should be carefully examined. In my school district, our
Internet Policy has restrictions banning most websites that include advertisements prohibiting
students from research that may be crucial to their assignment. Often, a students rights are not
taken into consideration as most of the filters are set in place by the Technology Department and
not by a committee of librarians, parents, teachers and other various school officials. A thin line
exists between keeping students and staff safe and infringing on their intellectual freedom and
rights. Students and staff also know what is acceptable as they are required to sign and keep on
file a copy of the Internet/Acceptable Use agreement set forth by the school district.
-
8/3/2019 Fincher,E Policy
4/4
Emily Fincher - Policies and Procedures
References
Cr omwel l , S . ( 2007) . Ge t t i ng s t a r t ed on t he i n t e r ne t : Deve l op i ng an
i n t e r ne t us e po l i cy . Educat ion Wor ld , Re t r i eved f r om
ht t p : / / www.educa t i onwor l d . com
Endi co t t - P opovs ky , B . ( 2009) . S eek i ng a ba l ance on l i ne : on l i ne s a f e t y f o r
ou r ch i l d r en . T eacher L i br ar i an , 37( 2 ) ,Re t r i eved f r om Ga l i l eo .
Geor g i a k - 12 t echno l ogy p l an . ( 2008 , Mar ch 31) . Re t r i eved f r om
ht t p : / / pub l i c .doe .k12 .ga .us / DMGet Document . a s px / 2007-
2012%20Geor g i a%20S t a t e%20Techno l ogy%20P l an .pdf ?p=6CC6799F
8C1371F 66CAAE343641A06B02DD1B7266C4E1E205F 8E84ACF A4A
3BA4&Type=D
S ca l es , P . R . ( 2009) . Pr o t ec t i ng i n t e l l ec t ua l f r eedom i n your s choo l
l i b r ar y . Ch i cago : Amer i can L i b r a r y As s oc i a t i on .