Acceptable Use Policy
From LIS 460 Summer 2007
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), also known as Acceptable IT Use Policy, Internet/Network AUP, or Internet and Email Policy, in a school environment is an agreement between students, caregivers and educators on the advantages, appropriateness, and privileges of using the Internet. AUPs outline rules and reasons for site use, provide protection for proper users and consequences for improper users. Since the School Media Specialist is knowledgeable on the ins and outs of the Internet and its many useful tools, he/she can certainly assist a school, or even a district, in revising or implementing an AUP. An AUP should be distributed and agreed upon when tools like wikis, blogs, or any other site that students or educators might use to receive, distribute or display material.
Contents |
Components of a School AUP
Philosophy The sponsoring organization (i.e. school) must issue a statement of reason, the benefits of using the indicated program and a reminder that use of the Internet in school is a privilege.
Code of Conduct The AUP must outline the rules for proper use, including reminders for acceptable language, respect of users' personal safety and privacy (i.e. the use of first names only), and respectable behavior.
Consequences for Violating Code of Conduct It is important to establish specific consequences, especially in a school setting, for violations of the rules, for both educators and students.
Definitions of Unacceptable Behavior In a school, this can mean offensive language or images, defamatory speech or harassment,copyright infringement, introduction of a virus, plagiarism, or anything that would preclude another person from using the Internet program freely.
Disclaimer For self protection
Statements Regarding compliance with state and national laws, users' personal rights, and copyright regulations
Place for Parents, Students, and Educators to Sign
Importance of AUPs in Schools
Student safety is the foremost concern for educators. Using an AUP in school will help assure parents that their child and his or her work is conducted and displayed in a safe, nurturing environment. Parents and students must feel protected in order to be included, participate, and excel. These AUPs can be shared with parents at the beginning of a school year, or the beginning of each project. They help to establish good communication between the schools and the families. They can be executed in simple letters home, or displayed on a school website (preferably both).
AUPs and the SLMS
Since the School Library Media Specialist should be following the current trends in Web technology and proper use, s/he can take the time to go over the necessary components of the AUP. Librarians could also draw up a draft for a new AUP or revise the current policy and share their drafts with the school community. S/he can access examples and resources on the Internet to follow. Hopefully the librarian is involved with the caregivers, educators, administrators and students in the community so that s/he can play a role in creating a solid policy for the school. By knowing the needs of the teachers with whom she works, she can individualize the AUP, if necessary, to be more specific to certain classes or projects. The school librarian could also post a copy in the media center.
