Topic8

= Learning Topic 8:  = = Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) =

Background/Rationale
Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) or Fair Use Policies are rules and/or policies that computer users are supposed to follow when being a user on a large network or computer system. These policies exist in places such as: schools, universities, businesses, corporations, etc. The idea is to help keep users safe from legal action, cyber predators, etc. There are many different documents that have already been created, but teachers often develop their own to apply to their classroom.

Learner Outcomes

 * Locate and become familiar with your district/school's acceptable use policy.
 * Identify and discuss characteristics that are included in various policies/guidelines.
 * Collaborate with a group using face-to-face dialogue and a wiki.
 * Create an acceptable use policy that is appropriate for your level of teaching.
 * Create a new blog post.

Readings and Research
Regis' Technology Use Policy:
 * @http://www.regis.edu/regis.asp?page=sr.its.faq.pc.ur
 * @http://www.regis.edu/regis.asp?sctn=sr&p1=its&p2=faq&p3=email&p4=sponacct&p5=aap
 * @http://www.regis.edu/regis.asp?sctn=sr&p1=its&p2=cprt


 * Library Resource:**
 * Books 24/7 - @http://libguides.regis.edu/atozdatabases


 * Online Magazines:**
 * Tech&Learning - @http://www.techlearning.com/
 * THE Journal - @http://thejournal.com/Home.aspx
 * Journal of Educational Technology & Society - @http://www.ifets.info/
 * Education Week: Digital Directions - @http://www.edweek.org/dd/
 * eLearn Magazine - @http://www.elearnmag.org/
 * Edutopia - @http://www.edutopia.org/


 * Developing an Acceptable Use Policy:**
 * Education World - @http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml
 * CoSN - Consortium for School Networking Initiative - @http://www.cosn.org/Initiatives/Web2/AUPGuide/tabid/8139/Default.aspx


 * Search Terms**
 * AUP
 * Acceptable Use Policy
 * Fair Use Policy

Field Experience
Does your district have an acceptable use policy for students and teachers? Does your school have an acceptable use policy for students? You will contact the appropriate person in your district to find out if your district/school has these documents and do some research about how they were established. The information you collect will be used for one of this week’s activities.


 * Possible Questions to Ask Your District Contact Person:**
 * How was the acceptable use/fair use policy developed?
 * Are there different policies for different ages of students?
 * What components do you think are most important?
 * Did any other stakeholders have a part in the creation of the document (students, parents, teachers, etc.)?
 * How often is the document revisited for revisions?

= Learning Activities =

8.1: Blogging About Acceptable Use Policies
You will create a new blog post on your reflection blog titled "Acceptable Use Policies." For this activity, you will create a written comparison of the AUP you located through the field experience listed above with the six key elements for an effective AUP written by the National Education Association. Be sure to address each required element in your post.

The National Education Association suggests that an effective AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) contain the following six key elements:
 * WHAT IS AN AUP?**
 * a preamble,
 * a definition section,
 * a policy statement,
 * an acceptable uses section,
 * an unacceptable uses section, and
 * a violations/sanctions section.

The //**preamble**// explains why the policy is needed, its goals, and the process of developing the policy. This section should say that the school's overall code of conduct also applies to student online activity.

The //**definition section**// defines key words used in the policy. Words and terms such as Internet, computer network, education purpose, and other possibly ambiguous terms need to be defined and explained to ensure student and parent comprehension.

A //**policy statement**// must tell what computer services are covered by the AUP and the circumstances under which students can use computer services. Schools may, for example, base student access to computer services on the completion of a "computer responsibility" class that will enhance student understanding of the AUP guidelines.

The //**acceptable uses section**// must define appropriate student use of the computer network. It may, for example, limit student use of the network to "educational purposes," which then must be defined.

In the //**unacceptable uses section**//, the AUP should give clear, specific examples of what constitutes unacceptable student use. In determining what is unacceptable, the committee charged with drafting the AUP must consider Among the sites that might be off limits to students are chat rooms and term paper vendors. In addition, AUPs often prohibit students from sending, forwarding, or posting sexually explict messages, profanity, and harassing or violent messages.
 * what kind of computer network sites, if any, should be off limits to students;
 * what kind of student sending, forwarding, or posting of information, if any, should be prohibited, and
 * what kind of student behavior will be destructive to the computer network services and should, therefore, be restricted."

The //**violations/sanctions section**// should tell students how to report violations of the policy or whom to question about its application. "As a practical matter," says the NEA, "the AUP may simply provide that violations will be handled in accordance with the school's general student disciplinary code." Retrieved from <[]>

** Optional Activity: What Stands Out With Wordle? **
You have already used Wordle to illustrate your personal definition of terms, but now you are going to use it for a different purpose. Copy and paste your district/school acceptable use policy (if you don't have one and would like to complete this activity, use a classmates') to see what stands out. The Wordle illustration will provide insight into what is important to your district and/or school.

** 8.2: Share, Search, and Develop **
You will break into groups of three people. It would be best to work with a group who teach the same level. You will share your analysis and the AUP you located from your district and/or school. During this time, discuss strong/weak attributes of the document, whether it's appropriate for all ages, plus anything you found out from your district contact person.
 * Part One – Share**

In part three of this activity, you will be creating an AUP will a group that will be shared with your instructor and peers. In order to do so, it's important to see what resources are available to reference and to help guide you. While you are researching, keep in mind the characteristics your group discussed. Are there more that you want to add?
 * Part Two – Search**

Your group will create an acceptable use policy appropriate for your group’s level. Your AUP must integrate the 6 elements identified by NEA. The National Education Association suggests that an effective AUP contain the following six key elements: Before you leave class, you should start brainstorming your document because the bulk of the work will be conducted online using your wiki. Post your AUP on Topic3_StudentPage.
 * Part Three -Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (Class/Online - Small Group)**
 * (Capstone Project Suggestion)**
 * a preamble,
 * a definition section,
 * a policy statement,
 * an acceptable uses section,
 * an unacceptable uses section, and
 * a violations/sanctions section.

After your group has created a rough draft AUP on your group’s wiki, you will need to create a final copy of your AUP as a Word document. Please post this document on Topic8_StudentPage for your instructor and peers to evaluate. Please include a group name and/or the names of your group members with your attachment.
 * 8.2 Assessment:**

You are required to comment and evaluate a minimum of three AUPs in the Discussion Section of Topic8_StudentPage. Keep your comments specific to the six elements from Education World's Guidelines for an Acceptable Use Policy: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml

** 8.3: AUP Reflection **
For this activity, reflect on your experience writing the document (i.e. what you learned, what's important to include in an AUP, etc.) in a minimum of 400 words. You also need to visit a minimum of three other classmates’ blogs and comment on their AUP and experience.

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