At Burke high school, our IT department has an acceptable use policy for all technology and technology use within the district, building, and even certain rooms. All students and staff are required to sign a form at the start of each semester http://www.ops.org/district/CENTRALOFFICES/GeneralAdministrativeServices/InformationManagementServices/District that says you read and understand these policies. Teachers even go over them in homerooms. Technology expectations are clearly outlined for all students. For staff, we are also given ample instructions on what to do and what not to do. Here is a link that specifies all of our regulations and also links to PDF forms of the documents: http://www.ops.org/district/CENTRALOFFICES/GeneralAdministrativeServices/InformationManagementServices/ITPracticesandPolicies/tabid/716/Default.aspx Some of it seems a little ridiculous, and other aspects do not. For example, we are not to bring in any of our own equipment; i.e. printers, monitors, laptops, ipads, or anything of the sort. And under no circumstances are we to ever use them on the OPS network, for fear of planting irrevocable damage to servers and the network. However, flash drives which can also harbor deadly viruses and malicious malware, we just need to be careful about. Our judgment is ok to use for flash drives, but it ends there. Here is a link to a definition of malware: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware
I really do understand why some items should never be connected to the network. People do things to their machines they don't know they have done or don't know someone else has done and once it's in; it's in. However there are scans that can detect these things and if you can bring your items from home to help you out as a teacher, and the IT department clears them as ok, what's the issue? As long as they stay at the school and don't leave, there should be no issue. I realize that teachers could still easily break these rules and bad things could happen, but it's not like these things couldn't happen now either. We are still trusting teachers to be reasonable and obey the rules. They could break them now or wait until it is ok to do so. I would like to see this aspect of the IT AUP change at my school and district.
Overall I feel the AUP for students is great and they need to learn what proper technology ethics are in today's technology driven world. This policy guides them correctly and teaches them right from wrong. As for staff, we are expected to take and pass a course in college that forces us to understand what is acceptable in schools. We are supposed to enter as educated people who understand these policies and understand ethical behavior online and offline. I feel teachers could be given more trust and respect in regards to their AUP within their buildings, especially mine, but I understand why there isn't. One bad apple can ruin the lot. Here is a pretty good video I found on why we have AUPs in schools:
I also teach in OPS and I understand why they do not want teachers or students brining in personal equipment. However, if a teacher has something that they think will really help students learn, there should be a way to get that in the classroom. I think the video stated a good point that AUPs need to be constantly reviewed and revised. The time may have come to review the OPS AUP.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your post, it is interesting to read about our AUP in OPS and the video was a great way to understand the purpose and importance of AUP's. I agree with Lee, I wonder when the last time OPS reviewed the AUP for effectiveness. Do you think that this is addressed often enough with the students and staff at all OPS schools? How does Burke ensure that students and staff are following the policies?
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you both. It is ridiculous that teachers cannot bring in their own equipment. Especially if you work in a school that has little to no equipment. The students are being short-changed if the teacher could provide access to help the students' learn. I think that the AUP needs to be reviewed and probably updated. Just and FYI: The OPS website is blocked in Ecuador-go figure!
ReplyDeleteI did like the video.
What about the equipment issue going to opposite way? How many OPS staff members have laptops or other equipment that they take home to work on, I bet a lot of those get connected to networks elsewhere. Can you imagine a Principal traveling with their computer to a conference and not getting online?
ReplyDeleteBurke's IT department has actually taken the outside equipment to a whole other level, there are some staff members with district (not building)issued equipment who have been told that they could not use that equipment at Burke.