AUP UpdateAUP UpdateGuidance for Alexandria Guidance for Alexandria

TeachersTeachers

Paul George, Paul George, School School AdministratorAdministrator

Francis C. Hammond Middle SchoolFrancis C. Hammond Middle SchoolAlexandria, VAAlexandria, VA

paul.george@acps.k12.va.uspaul.george@acps.k12.va.us

An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is designed to inform all students, teachers and staff, including student teachers, part-time teachers, substitute teachers, and other non-instructional employees of expected behaviors when they use ACPS computer systems. Because technology is an integral part of today’s society, ACPS employees need to be aware of, and model appropriate use of all available technology.

Acceptable Use Policy(AUP)

Clarification

• ACPS employees utilize computer systems to support the mission and educational goals of the division.

Acceptable Use Policy(AUP)

MAIN POINTS

• ACPS employees understand that documents and communications created on division equipment are the property of the division.

Acceptable Use Policy(AUP)

MAIN POINTS

• ACPS employees access the ACPS network and internet resources respectfully with regard to language, information and resource limits.

Acceptable Use Policy(AUP)

MAIN POINTS

• ACPS employees accept personal responsibility for our equipment and make every effort to afford the equipment proper care and security.

Acceptable Use Policy(AUP)

MAIN POINTS

•ACPS employees value the importance and principles of digital citizenship.

Acceptable Use Policy(AUP)

MAIN POINTS

AUP: Scenario

•You are completing a Masters of Education degree program. Much of your research and assignments require computer use and online access. You do not have a personal computer at home so you create and store your work on your ACPS issued laptop. You also use it to do online research at home.

•TRUE/FALSE: It is acceptable to use your ACPS issued laptop to complete coursework associated with getting this advanced degree.

•ANSWER: TRUE – Because the pursuit of an advanced degree in the field of education supports the mission and goals of the division, it is an acceptable use of an ACPS issued computer system.

AUP: Scenario•A family member is selling candy to raise money for her school. The person who raises the most money wins a trip to Disney World. You tell her that you can help by asking coworkers to support the fundraisers. You access your ACPS email account from your home computer and use your building/department distribution list to send an email to everyone asking them to buy candy.

•TRUE/FALSE: This is an acceptable use of ACPS computers since it is done after school hours and does not interfere with your employee duties.

•ANSWER: FALSE – ACPS email can be used for account or ACPS distribution limited personal business. However, you can not use the lists to solicit funds or support for an outside organization of any kind.

AUP: Scenario

•On some occasions, you use your lunch time to go online to access your personal email and bank accounts. You generally spend no more than 15 to 20 minutes online.

•TRUE/FALSE: This is acceptable since it does not interfere with your ACPS duties.

•ANSWER: TRUE - This is considered incidental personal use and does not occur during instructional time or while performing other assigned duties.

AUP: Scenario•You were recently married and have collected at least 100 digital pictures from family and friends. They are beginning to take up too much space on your hard drive so you save them to your personal folder on the server.

•TRUE/FALSE: Since ACPS employees have been given a folder on the LAN for personal files this is an acceptable use.

•ANSWER: FALSE – Resources, including file space, should be used for legitimate instructional purposes. Personal files, such as pictures, should not be stored on ACPS computer systems or file servers.

AUP: Scenario•There are so many user IDs and passwords associated with your ACPS work (LAN, email, intranet, Blackboard, ERO, etc.). To help you remember them, you created a list of all IDs and passwords and placed it in the top drawer of your desk. No one knows about the list except a close friend who works in the room next to yours.

•TRUE/FALSE: User IDs and passwords should never be written down and left in a location that can be accessed by others.

•ANSWER: TRUE – Passwords should never be shared with anyone else. You run the risk of unauthorized tampering with your accounts, thus threatening the security of the ACPS computer system.

AUP: Scenario

•You receive an email message from someone you do not know personally. You recognize the email address domain because it is the same as your husband’s email. The message includes an attachment which you are directed to open immediately.

•TRUE/FALSE: You open the attachment because it must be someone who knows your husband.

•ANSWER: FALSE – Attachments should only be opened if you know the person who sent the message and are sure of its validity. Opening an attachment could put your computer and the entire ACPS computer system at risk of spreading a virus.

AUP: Scenario

•Your sibling/spouse/friend is an IT professional with another organization. They are able to bypass restrictions on your laptop put in place by Technology Services. They are able to download and install software that you would like to use with your students in preparation for Standards of Learning (SOL) testing.

•TRUE/FALSE: This is acceptable use because the software is guaranteed to improve your students’ SOL test scores and it supports the goals of the School Board.

•ANSWER: FALSE – All employees should obtain permission from Technology Services before installing any unauthorized software on ACPS computer systems. No user, family member or friend should attempt to “subvert the restrictions associated with any computer system”.

What is Social Networking?What is Social Networking?

•View Common Craft video.View Common Craft video.•Complete Frayer Model worksheet.Complete Frayer Model worksheet.

What laws must we consider?What laws must we consider?

Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) for Public

and Private Schools (Code of Virginia §

22.1-70.2). This law reflects the circumstances unique to the school or division and

the electronic system used; it clearly defines responsible use of information networks.

What laws must we consider?What laws must we consider?

Family Involvement in Technology (FIT) Program (Code of Virginia § 22.1-212.2:3).

This program promotes parental and family involvement in children’s education,

including increased and appropriate supervision of children using the Internet.

What laws must we consider?What laws must we consider?

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Congress enacted this law in December 2000 to address offensive Internet content on school and library computers. It imposes specific requirements on any school or library that receives funding

support for Internet access or internal connections from the E-Rate Program.

What laws must we consider?What laws must we consider?

Free Speech

Freedom of speech is protected in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights and is guaranteed to all Americans.

BUT.............

What laws must we consider?What laws must we consider?

Termination of Teacher

In November 2008, a North Carolina teacher was fired as a result of an inappropriate comment she made on her Facebook page.

What laws must we consider?What laws must we consider?

According to the Washington Post:In states including Florida, Colorado, Tennessee and Massachusetts, teachers have been removed or suspended for MySpace postings, and some teachers unions have begun warning members about racy personal Web sites. ““When Young Teachers Go Wild,” published on April 28, 2008When Young Teachers Go Wild,” published on April 28, 2008

What laws must we consider?What laws must we consider?

Suspension of Students

The following cases under review involve students being disciplined for their off-campus speech online:•J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District •Layshock v. Hermitage School District

Does Does ACPSACPS Allow Allow Social Networking?Social Networking?

Y E S !Y E S !

What is BlackboardWhat is Blackboard??

•Blackboard is an approved web-based Blackboard is an approved web-based

teaching & learning environment.teaching & learning environment.•Teachers build and manage Teachers build and manage

a web component for their courses.a web component for their courses.•All teachers and students have a Bb account.All teachers and students have a Bb account.

Does Bb Allow Does Bb Allow Social Networking?Social Networking?

The following social networking tools are The following social networking tools are available in Blackboard:available in Blackboard:

•BlogsBlogs•WikisWikis

•Discussion BoardsDiscussion Boards•Media SharingMedia Sharing

Teachers are responsible for teaching and modeling appropriate usage of these.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

•Do not “friend” students or invite them Do not “friend” students or invite them to “friend” you, (i.e. add them to you to “friend” you, (i.e. add them to you network or vice versa).network or vice versa).

•Do not post information, comments, or Do not post information, comments, or personal views that you would not want personal views that you would not want published in the newspaper.published in the newspaper.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

•Choose privacy settings that only allow Choose privacy settings that only allow friends to view your information.friends to view your information.

•Be a role model, even though students Be a role model, even though students will not see your page or profile.will not see your page or profile.

•Utilize Blackboard to engage students Utilize Blackboard to engage students in social networking activities.in social networking activities.