Leah Shaw

EDTC630-AUP Assignment

AUP Video Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HnYpNN04c8&feature=youtu.be

Employee AUP:

http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9X57AG6B96B9

Student AUP:

http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9X59J3714183
Dear Mrs. Rinker and Members of the Board,

I’ve thoroughly read the Garrett County Public Schools’ Acceptable Use Policy for

Students and Acceptable Use Policy for Employees and I’ve also researched various resources

for information. I’ve concluded that the content of the policies is sound but should include a

couple of elements.

Following a checklist from Scholastic (Why Have a Technology Policy in Your School or

Library?, n.d.), considerations from Common Sense Education (1-to-1 Essentials - Acceptable

Use Policies, n.d.), and tips from a Department of Education article (Student-Centered

Acceptable Use Policy, n.d.), I recommend that the following areas should be included in an

updated revision:

 a list of the responsibilities of parents for using the Internet;

 a statement that all purposes are in compliance with local, state, federal, and

international laws;

 a social media element;

 a supplemental document designed for a young audience (elementary school students)

GCPS’ AUP for Students includes an agreement that is expected to be signed by the

student and parent. However, the AUP document does not include 1) parental responsibilities

for their child using the network or devices or 2) parents, themselves, using the network or

devices. While parents are unable to monitor their child’s usage during school hours, if students

were to commit a criminal act on the network, parents will have to assume some responsibility

for their underage child. Additionally, if parents connect to the network (many students know the

“Guest” WIFI password) or assist their child on a school device, there should be detailed

procedures written.
 While students and employees understand that some acts may initiate legal action (theft,

copyright, plagiarism, etc.) neither AUPs use terminology to express that all usage on the

network should be in compliance with local, state, federal, and international laws. The AUP

reads as if it’s a violation of the school- not the law- if infractions occur. It’s important that both

students and employees know that the implications of their actions may extend beyond the

school system.

Social media (social networks, blogs, social bookmarking sites, media sharing, wikis,

etc.) is not mentioned in either AUP or in the signed agreements. Many social media sites are

blocked for student use, but are advancing as educational tools (Pinterest, Instagram, blogs,

YouTube, closed Facebook groups, etc.). The AUPs should state the guidelines and

expectations for social media use with school devices and personal devices, during school

hours and after-school hours, and on or off GCPS property.

According to an article from the Office of Educational Technology, a school’s AUP

should be “student-centered” and “the language in the AUP need[s] to be adjusted to be

understandable to younger students” (Student-Centered Acceptable Use Policy, n.d.). I

recommend a parallel document that is designed for elementary age students. A multimedia

presentation with engaging visuals and audio, and fewer written words, would help students

understand and demonstrate digital citizenship.

Overall, both policies are reliable, realistic documents that are easy for users to

understand. With the implementation of my suggestions, both AUPs will be improved.

 REFERENCES

Acceptable and Responsible Use of Technological Resources for Employees. (2015). Procedures.

Retrieved from:

http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9X59J3714183#

Acceptable and Responsible Use of Technological Resources for Students. (2015). Procedures.

Retrieved from: http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9X59J3714183

Common Sense (n.d.). 1-to-1 essentials- Acceptable use policies. Retrieved from:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/1to1/aups

Student-Centered Acceptable Use Policy. (n.d.). Retrieved from:

https://tech.ed.gov/stories/student-centered-acceptable-use-policy/

Why Have a Technology Policy in Your School or Library? (n.d.) Retrieved from

http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/tech/techpolicy.htm