Understanding Acceptable Use Policies

8/11/2019 Understanding Acceptable Use Policies

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Understanding Acceptable Use Policies (AUP)

The invention of the internet and the adoption of its use for educational and work-related

purposes were accompanied by growing pains. Internet access at school and the work-

site allowed everyone access to any website at anytime. This accessibility created

problems, especially when accessing inappropriate websites. Likewise, the internet

created distractions for many students and employees. These distractions prevent

students from accomplishing their schoolwork while at school and prevent employees

from doing their jobs during time paid by their employers. As with many technology

resources, corporations and schools had to adopt policies to address these issues,

currently know as Acceptable Use Policies or AUPs.

A well-written AUP will include a preamble, a definition section, a policy statement, an

acceptable uses section, an unacceptable uses section, and a violations/sanctions

section (Cromwell, 1998). To be fair to students, teachers and employees, it is crucial

for the AUP to include the acceptable uses and the violation/sanction sections. This

way, all involved parties may clearly understand AUP expectations. Additionally, it is

important to have students, teachers and employees sign which indicates they have

read the AUP and agree to follow the rules of acceptable use.

However, "a vital, workable Acceptable Use Policy must be based on a philosophy thatbalances freedom and responsibility" (Cromwell, 1998). Scott McLeod, Ph.D. stated thecontroversy well on his website, "Dear Teachers, We trust you with the children but notthe Internet. Yours Truly, the ADMINISTRATION" (McLeod, 2009). McLeod is correct in

stating that many school districts block access to websites such as YouTube.Understanding both standpoints here is crucial because YES, there are those who willalways violate the use of technology and the internet. On the other hand, there are tonsof YouTube videos that are educational. Well made educational videos can givestudents, teachers and employees access to relevant information. YouTube provides anefficient and a convenient way to access information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.There are excellent videos explaining mathematical and statistical processes. There areamazing videos made by students displaying their schoolwork and teaching otherstudents songs to remember a concept. There are even videos available that teachmore complex ways to use Microsoft Word, Excel and the TI-Nspire graphing calculator.These are not bad things for students, teachers and employees to access; yet many

school districts block YouTube.

Some schools have a more trusting standpoint on accessibility issues. This creates asystem of trust, responsibility and empowerment. According to Scott McLeod Ph.D."instead of saying NO, NO, NO! all the time, how about saying yes? Heres [anEUP,Empowered Use Policy] to consider

[SCHOOL / DISTRICT NAME]


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When it comes to digital technologies in our [school / district], please

1. Be empowered.Do awesome things. Share with us your ideas and what youcan do. Amaze us.

2. Be nice.Help foster a school community that is respectful and kind.

3. Be smart and be safe.If you are uncertain, talk with us.4. Be careful and gentle.Our resources are limited. Help us take care of ourdevices and networks" (McLeod, 2014).

These are excellent points and may deter that student that reads an AUP but then takesit as a challenge that this AUP must be tested. It also sends a message to studentsabout writing things that will hurt others on the internet.

As for teachers, most teachers want to do what is best for students. Trust your teachers.Employers should not label all teachers/employees as guilty such that all individualsneed an AUP tightly written by top-notch lawyers to prevent complete chaos. Most

teachers work very hard, try to teach and help students the best they can, try to becreative while doing so and therefore create differentiated instructional lessons thatutilizes differentiated technological needs to meet the needs of the multiple intelligenceswith students. If there is a student, teacher or employee that violates this trust, then dealwith the individual, as you must. However, be wary about applying the samepunishment to everyone before there is even a crime.

AUP Examples

Boise State University, Boise ID -Information Technology AUP

Issaquah School District, Issaquah WA -2014-2015 Staff AUP

Issaquah School District, Issaquah WA -2014-2015 Student AUP

Kentridge High School, Kent WA -Student and Teacher AUP for the Internet

ReferencesCromwell, S. (1998). Getting started on the internet: Developing an acceptable use

policy. In Education World. Retrieved from:

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml
http://oit.boisestate.edu/aboutoit/governance/policies/policy-8000/policy-8000-procedures/http://oit.boisestate.edu/aboutoit/governance/policies/policy-8000/policy-8000-procedures/http://oit.boisestate.edu/aboutoit/governance/policies/policy-8000/policy-8000-procedures/http://angiekruzich.wordpress.com/edtech-501/edtech-541/aup-examples/http://angiekruzich.wordpress.com/edtech-501/edtech-541/aup-examples/http://angiekruzich.wordpress.com/edtech-501/edtech-541/aup-examples/http://angiekruzich.wordpress.com/edtech-501/edtech-541/aup-examples/http://angiekruzich.wordpress.com/edtech-501/edtech-541/aup-examples/http://angiekruzich.wordpress.com/edtech-501/edtech-541/aup-examples/http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/teachtech/aup3.htmhttp://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/teachtech/aup3.htmhttp://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/teachtech/aup3.htmhttp://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtmlhttp://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtmlhttp://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtmlhttp://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/teachtech/aup3.htmhttp://angiekruzich.wordpress.com/edtech-501/edtech-541/aup-examples/http://angiekruzich.wordpress.com/edtech-501/edtech-541/aup-examples/http://oit.boisestate.edu/aboutoit/governance/policies/policy-8000/policy-8000-procedures/


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McLeod, S. (2009). We trust you with the children but not the internet, Retrieved from

http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/09/we-trust-you-with-the-children-but-not-the-

internet.html

McLeod, S. (2014). Instead of an AUP, how about an EUP (empowered use policy)? ,

Retrieved from http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2014/03/instead-of-an-aup-how-about-an-eup-empowered-use-policy.html

McLeod, S. (2014). Rethinking AUPs, Retrieved from

http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/resources/rethinking-aups
http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/09/we-trust-you-with-the-children-but-not-the-internet.htmlhttp://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/09/we-trust-you-with-the-children-but-not-the-internet.htmlhttp://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/09/we-trust-you-with-the-children-but-not-the-internet.htmlhttp://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/resources/rethinking-aupshttp://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/resources/rethinking-aupshttp://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/resources/rethinking-aupshttp://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/09/we-trust-you-with-the-children-but-not-the-internet.htmlhttp://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/09/we-trust-you-with-the-children-but-not-the-internet.html

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Understanding Acceptable Use Policies