Acceptable Use Policy

This week we had to create acceptable use policies. These are very important to have whenever you are working in a classroom where the children have internet and computer access. I can still remember growing up every year we had this important book that we had to take home and go over with our parents before we were allowed to use the internet at school, it was a long and very detailed acceptable use policies. Many school systems have these in place such as this one. So when creating my own acceptable use policy I tried to think back to the ones of my past and also I tried to think of very common sense things that should be included. In my AUP I tried to stress the importance of following the rules and then also what the results would be if they did not follow it. My AUP is made up in the format of a contract and so if any of it is violated throughout the year I can simply go to my file and pull out the form that the child has signed. My AUP has simple and very reasonable rules that should not be hard to follow and will be posted around the classroom so the children won't forget throughout the year. My AUP is not forgiving, if you mess up once you lose your privilege, it may seem harsh, but I think it is appropriate because it helps stress the importance of following the rules.

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Comment by Dave Eveland on April 13, 2009 at 4:12pm: E:4
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Comment by Jody Watson on April 14, 2009 at 7:44pm: We have made an aup as well would be interested in seeing yours. I can send you a copy of ours as well. I agree with you that it has to be simple but it has to be able to change since students find new ways of bending the rules and the technology changes so rapidly.

Comment by Paul Anderson on April 14, 2009 at 10:17pm: I think in a lot of cases, the problems with most aup's is that they are too specific in some areas and not specific enough in other areas. A catch all rule might be something as easy as, "You are only to use the internet/computer for matters that your teacher(s) approves" (or something along those lines).
While I do agree with stricter enforcement, I don't know if I agree with one and out, as accidents and misunderstandings can occur, and once you set a precedence, it might be hard to change. What if the same rules were enforced for driving violations, speed once and you lose your license.
I would love to see any aup that others use, maybe by sharing someone will be able to come up with the ultimate AUP (if there ever could be one)!