1. Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) EDTC 5325 Dr.Byrum Florence Yang

2. What is an AUP?  For school, an acceptable use policy (AUP) is a written agreement in the form of guidelines, signed by students, their parents and teachers, outlining the terms and conditions of Internet-use.

3. Why do schools need an AUP?  Dangers for students: inappropriate words and images violence/pornographic People who pose an online threat  In response to these concerns, schools or school divisions are required to establish guidelines for the appropriate use of computer networks.

4. Elements of AUP  The National Education Association (NEA) suggests that an effective AUP contains the following 6 key elements: a preamble a definition section a policy statement an acceptable uses section an unacceptable uses section a violations/sanctions section.

5. Elements - Preamble  The preamble explains why the policy is needed, the goals of policy, and the process of developing the policy.  This section includes the school's overall code of conduct for student online activity.

6. Elements - Definition Section  The definition section defines key words used in the policy, such as Internet, computer network, and education purpose.  To ensure students and parents comprehension, this part includes possibly ambiguous terms need to be defined and explained.

7. Elements - Policy Statement  A policy statement must tell what computer services are covered by the AUP and the circumstances under which students can use computer services.  For example, schools may base student access to computer services on the completion of a "computer responsibility" class that will enhance student understanding of the AUP guidelines.

8. Elements – Acceptable Uses Section  The acceptable uses section must define appropriate student use of the computer network.  For example, it may limit student use of the network to "educational purposes" only.

9. Elements - Unacceptable Uses Section  In the unacceptable uses section, the AUP should give clear, specific examples of what composes unacceptable student use.  For example, AUPs often prohibit students from sending, forwarding, or posting sexually explicit messages, profanity, and harassing or violent messages.

10. Elements - Violations/Sanctions Section  The violations/sanctions section should tell students how to report violations of the policy or whom to question about its application.  The NEA says that as a practical matter, the AUP may simply provide that violations will be handled in accordance with the school's general student disciplinary code.

11. Safety First  AUPs integral to the framework of information security policies; it is often common practice to ask students and parents to sign an AUP.  Many AUPs make students aware of basic Internet safety rules before they are allowed to surf independently.

12. Safety First  AUP should identify the sites that might be off limits to students. what kind of computer network sites what kind of student sending, forwarding, or posting of information what kind of student behavior will be destructive to the computer network services and should be restricted.

13. Safety First  In Lawrence J. Magid's My Rules for Online Safety have good examples for elementary-age children:My Rules for Online Safety I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable. I will never agree to get together with someone I 'meet' online without first checking with my parents. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.

14. Reference  Educational World (2003). Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Retrieved Feb 21, 2006, from http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml  LISD Board of Trustees (Sep 25,2006). Acceptable Use Policy. Retrieved Feb 21, 2006, from http://www.lockhartisd.org/tech/aup.pdfhttp://www.lockhartisd.org/tech/aup.pdf  Virginia Department of Education. Acceptable Use Policy : A Handbook. Retrieved Feb 28, 2006, from http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/AUP/home.shtml http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/AUP/home.shtml