EdTech 543 - Social Network Learning - Social Networking Policies for Today's Schools

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and the Children’s Internet Protection Act were developed to address concerns about children's safety in an online atmosphere. Although they deal with different matters, the safety of students is paramount in each of these policies. Schools have taken these laws and have gone even further in the protection of their students. Most if not all school boards have implemented an acceptable usage policy (AUP) document. This document discusses policies on the usage of technological devices and their applications.

My school board uses a document called The Digital Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Here is a link to the document. The document states the following:

Students are encouraged to use our network and digital learning tools to collaborate with others to change the world in meaningful, positive ways. By utilizing the school’s computers and/or the network, students agree to the guidelines for digital technology use outlined in this document.

Students are encouraged to use digital technology to:

• Access, critically assess, and communicate information and understanding
• Seek alternative viewpoints
• Collaborate during inquiry
• Construct personal knowledge and meaning
• Demonstrate understandings
• Organize and manipulate data
• Interact with others

Prohibited acts include:

• Use of someone else’s account or access to network
• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
• Using obscene language
• Harassing, insulting or attacking another person or their reputation
• Trespassing in other people’s folders, work or files
• Accessing, posting, sending or downloading inappropriate material
• Assuming the identity of another person to gain information In any way, moving, opening hardware or computer accessories
• Any attempt and/or threats to harm a person
• Plagiarism of online content
• Posting, publishing, circulating or distributing personal information about oneself or others without the supervision and consent of a staff member
• Use of technology or the network to access sites/software not approved by staff

http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b402/pdfs/digital_AcceptableUsePolicy.pdf

Use of technology or the network to access sites/software not approved by staff Violation of policy may result in:

• First Incident: Student will be reminded of the Acceptable Use Policy and how his or her behaviour was not appropriate. Parents will be informed of the incident of inappropriate use. Removal of digital technology privileges will be for a day.
• Second Incident: Removal of digital technology privileges for a week. Parents will be informed of the incident of inappropriate use.
• Third Incident: Student will lose open access and will be fully monitored when using digital technology. Parents will be involved in creating a plan for ensuring appropriate use at school. A student who engages in inappropriate use with a personal device will lose his/her student access for the remainder of the year and will not be allowed to bring in their own devices to connect to the school board’s network.

As there are no direct rules in regards to social media, I am proposing to add the following to the AUP document. Hopefully, these policies will be included in school board AUP document and appear every time someone connects to the school network or Internet. In order to get approval for these changes, there must be review process. The goal is to have all of the stakeholders involved in the process to ensure buy-in. The process will include the following:

1. Discuss idea with Principal.
2. Complete the document with input from teachers and the IT Specialist.
3. Discuss with student focus group - engage in discussion.
4. Discuss at Parent council meeting.
5. Make changes where appropriate.
6. Approval from Principal.
7. Give to Superintendent of Learning Technologies for approval.

If not approved by school board, hopefully it will be accepted by our specific school.

Social Networking and Communication:

While currently social networking websites are not strictly disallowed, their personal use be condoned. They are to be used for educational and learning purposes only.

• Students must ensure that privacy settings are maximized to avoid unwanted solicitations or viewing by others whose motives may be questionable.  
• All posts must follow proper netiquette rules and must be proof-read and edited before publishing to the Internet.
• Posting of specific personal information is not allowed.
• Students will not post personal information about other people, including family members, fellow students, teacher or friends.  
• Proper attribution must be given to all information and posts. Students must use Creative Commons to use images and music for open use.
• Internet predators exist who misrepresent their age, sex or personality in order to meet children and young adults. Students should under no circumstances meet with an internet acquaintance without parent or guardian permission, and with adequate supervision.
• Students will not engage in cyberbullying, which is defined as the “use of communication technologies to support deliberate and hostile behaviour by an individual or group that is intended to harm others." This may include sending hateful or insulting remarks to others, posting unwanted pictures for others to see on the internet, sending threats or even as simple as continuing to send email to someone who has requested no further contact. Cyberbullying is a criminal act and will be dealt with accordingly.
• No personal accounts will be used in any social media platform. Separate group accounts will be created and used for classroom learning and collaboration. These will be monitored by the teacher.

Social media is here to stay. Students use social media daily and, in fact, it has become an essential part of their PLN. Students use social media to collaborate, discuss, reflect and research information - the skills needed in 21st Century education. It is up to our learning establishments and us as educators to aid in students learning but, at the same time, keep our students safe. Technology is changing. As well, our policies should reflect that change.

References

Blankenship, S. (2012, April 20). Social media and two-way communication. Connected Principals. Retrieved from http://connectedprincipals.com/archives/5710

Children’s internet protection act. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act

Children's online privacy protection rule ("COPPA"). Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved from   https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule  

Digital technology accepted use policy, Calgary Board of Education. Retrieved from http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b402/pdfs/digital_AcceptableUsePolicy.pdf

Varlas, L. (2011). Can social media and school policies be "friends"? ASCD Policy Priorities, 17(4). Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/policy-priorities/vol17/num04/Can-Social-Media-and-School-Policies-be-%C2%A3Friends%C2%A3%C2%A2.aspx