THE NECESSITY OF DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE USE POLICIES: ADVOCACY FOR USE OF WEB 2.0 TOOLS IN A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COMPUTING PROGRAM
Technology is omnipresent in our modern age: anyone with an Internet connection can use a computer, tablet, or phone to access an unfathomable amount of information. Today, teenagers use e-mail, texting, and social media to stay in nearly constant communication with friends and family anywhere in the world. With so much time spent exchanging ideas in cyberspace, there is an increased likelihood of teachers and students regularly crossing paths electronically for both legitimate academic purposes and social contexts. Without sufficient school district policies to guide these interactions, students and teachers could realistically place themselves in awkward situations and face district sanctions due to inappropriate behavior. The purpose of this project is to develop an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) governing student and teacher computer use that must be reviewed and signed by parents, students, and teachers at the start of every school year. The policy advocacy focuses on inclusion of social media and other Web 2.0 tools as legitimate applications for the classroom. Research provides valuable information regarding responsible ways to utilize Web 2.0 tools to enhance teaching and learning and incorporate them into a school’s repertoire of instructional methodologies. These technologies tap into students’ inherent interests, create opportunities for active learning and higher-order thinking, and prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow’s workplace. However, schools also need to protect students against cyberbullies, online predators, and exposure to inappropriate content. The project concludes that allowing Web 2.0 tools into classrooms while developing responsible computing skills across the curriculum outweighs any perceived risks. The proposal outlines an adoption plan that factors in educational activities, staff development, budget, and progress monitoring.
Responsible Use Policies, Acceptable Use Policies, Web 2.0 Tools, One-to-One Computing, 21st Century Skills, Social Media, Educational Leadership
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