LEEDS HIGH SCHOOL

Internet Use Policies

Leeds High School

Library Media Center

“It is the goal of the LMC to help people of all ages make the most of the Internet and become information literate, to access information efficiently and effectively, evaluate information critically and competently, and use information accurately and creatively.”

(American Library Association)

STUDENTS & INTERNET ACCESS

Students & Internet Access

“The only lifelong Internet protection for children is to teach them to use the Internet properly and to teach them to be information literate, so they can make informed choices.”

(American Library Association)

Students & Internet Access

Protections

from Harmful Access

•Filtering Software (CIPA)•Education & Communication•Monitoring

Students & Internet Access

The Children’s Internet Protection Act

1. “Inappropriate matter” on the Internet and World Wide Web

2. Electronic mail, chat rooms, and other direct electronic communications

3. Unauthorized access & unlawful online activities

4. Personal information

5. Measures to restrict access to harmful materials(Encyclopedia of Everyday Law)

Student & Internet Access

Filtering Software

• Filtering software installed in our network

• Access to email under teacher supervision.

• Chat rooms, Facebook, and other direct electronic communications blocked.

Students & Internet Access

Education & Communication

Strategies for evaluating websites

Proper Netiquette

Good Digital Citizenship

Student Technology Use Policy

Brochures recommending web sites

Links to suggested sites readily available

Students & Internet Access

Monitoring

• Synchroneyes software

• Records of internet use

Student & Internet Access

Parent and Guardian Role

• Keep up-to-date on appropriate & useful apps through… websites, blogs professional journals social networking

• Communicate your expectations to your child.

• Talk to your child about potential hazards.

• Teach your child strategies for safe, responsible use.

• Monitor your child’s internet activities.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING INTERNET RESOURCES

Selecting Quality Web Sites for Children

(Alabama Library Association)

• Purpose and content are clear

• Encourages exploration and thinking

• Appealing to, and suits the age level of children for whom it is designed

• Easy to access. Accurate & up-to-date

• Contributes something unique or unusual

Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources

•Author or Source•Accuracy•Currency•Objectivity•Coverage•Purpose

(Greenwood, A.)

Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources

Author or Source• Author clearly defined?

• Author’s credentials stated?

• Affiliated with an organization?

• Group, organization, institution, corporation or government body?

• Linked to the organization’s page or contact information?

• Can identify creator or person responsible for maintenance of the site?(Greenwood, A)

Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources

Accuracy• Edited or peer-reviewed publication?

• Source credibility verifiable through footnotes or bibliographies?

• Based on prior knowledge, does the information seem credible?

• Who is responsible for accuracy of information?

(Greenwood, A)

Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources

Currency• Date the document was originally created?

• Last update, revision or editing?

• Frequent, consistent updating to ensure currency?

• Links to other Web pages are current?

(Greenwood, A)

Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources

Objectivity

• Free of advertising or ads separated from content?

• Biased or factually presented?

• Clear & forthcoming about perspective?

• Inflammatory or provocative language?(Greenwood, A)

Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources

Coverage

• Complete or still under construction?

• If print equivalent exists, is the entire work available on the Web?

(Greenwood, A)

Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources

Purpose

• Primary purpose? Example: To sell a product? Political point? Fun? Parody?

• Comprehensive or narrow range of info?

• Emphasis? Example: technical, scholarly, clinical, popular, elementary, etc.(Greenwood, A)

Online Resources for Parents and ChildrenAmerican Library Association resources for teachers, parents, and students.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorshipfirstamendmentissues/censorshipschools

More resources on the Library Media Center webpage Click on “Links” and “Forms.”http://leeds.al.lch.schoolinsites.com/?PageName='Library

Internet Safety Toolkit

http://www.pcaky.org/images/files/Internet_Safety-final.pd(American Library Association)

(Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is intellectual freedom?

“Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.”

(American Library Association)

What are the school board consequences for students who violate policy?

Consequences depend upon the severity of the violation.

Disciplinary action:Reprimand & inform parents/guardiansIn School SuspensionSuspensionAlternative SchoolLegal action

Is it an invasion of privacy to monitor my child’s online activity at home?

• Absolutely not! Require access to all usernames and passwords.

• Utilize privacy settings & have policy in place

• Place computers in a common area.• Monitor browser history.

• Communicate with your child.

(Federal Bureau of Investigation)

References

American Library Association. (Dec 1, 2003). Libraries & the Internet Toolkit. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=litoolkit

Encyclopedia of Everyday Law. Internet Filters in Schools an Libraries. Retrieved from https://bb.uwa.edu/

Federal Bureau of Investigation. A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide

Greenwood, A & Steyn, D. (Aug 20, 2013). Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources. University of British Columbia. Retrieved from http://wik i.ubc.ca/Library:Evaluating_Information_Sources

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Image 2 Retrieved from https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn: ANd9GcREgk5ZigqIaT5kDSaPlvd3wqVZD4D9Goeed8HjYPumM fey1Bgvsw

Image 3 Retrieved from http://internet.phillipmartin.info/la_notetaking.gif

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky. Internet Safety Toolkit. Retrieved from http://www.pcaky.org/images/files/Internet_Safety-final.pdf