Student internet access in Millard is available to students in classrooms, computer labs, and Information Centers. The goal of this service is to provide students with an additional resource for locating information needed for projects and reports that teachers may assign. Millard Public Schools acceptable use policy, can be found on page 78 of our schools student handbook and I hate to admit it but this was the first time I have read this policy! After review of our districts policy I feel that there is no need for any type of updating. I feel that the current acceptable use policy is consistent with educational objectives of the district as well as direction of responsible use of this powerful resource. It is the student’s responsibility to access only authorized sites appropriate for educational purposes. Inappropriate use of the Internet, the District’s technology network, or computers will result in the restriction or cancellation of those privileges and/or other disciplinary action. One of the districts policy's however really frustrates me...Email, we have all been told NOT to use our school email for personal use. Obvio
usly this is for good reasons, but there has been several times when I really need to access that account. The policy addresses use of personal email, as not permitted. This is a good policy for students because it ensures that the students use their own Millard Issued "Gaggle" account. Gaggle allows the instructor and student(s) to communicate without emails being sent to spam or junk email boxes. What it doesn't mention is the fact that it also blocks out teacher access to personal email. Very Frustrating for some of us who need to access our personal email away from home.
Hi Tyler,
ReplyDeleteI admit too, I've never read our policy which is why I didn't know that it actually isn't very good and needs updating. It is important for schools to continuously update these policies as technolgoy is ever changing and therefore, our use and capabilities of use. I would think with as big is our school is and how much technology we have available and provided to us that we would have a pretty comprehensive AUP. We do provide a list of suggested resources and links for our students on our webpage, but it doesn't really contain a AUP other than it states to use resources and technology appropriately. But what's appropriate to a teenager? I too find it a little irritating that teachers are not suppose to use our school computers for personal use. I understand it is for our own good, but we are at our jobs in our rooms during all weekday business hours. It's hard to reach the courthouse outside of school time. I think we should be able to use but held accountable for how we use technology/computers for personal use.
Great information on Millard School District. In Omaha Public School District students just received access to the email and grades this last year. I think it is a great way for student to take responsibility for their education. I agree with the you on personal email access. OPS has the same policy. Do you think the personal access is not available because educators would abuse the privilege?
ReplyDeleteI agree that is frustrating about personal emails being blocked. I wish I could use it as well. Then I got an iphone and use that. I think that personal accounts create a risk they are afraid of taking in regards to viruses and inappropriate materials. All it takes is one bad judegment call by one teacher, and it is forever gone for anyone else. I was also surprised that you too only had a section in the handbook about the AUP. OPS is down to the tee about what is acceptable and what is not, and of course what will happen if you break the rules.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Heather I am afraid that some educators would abuse it so we all must deal with the consequences of it. Where I work there are employees that spend more time on their cell phone than with the children. So if they had access to their private emails I may never see them. Sad, but true!
ReplyDeleteI agree Michelle. But I wonder, does making it not accessible create a "forbidden" that makes adults want to access it more. Similar to when I tell my son he can't have something, he seems to want it more just because it's "off limits". I wonder if access to personal email was allowed, it would be seen as not that big of deal so it wouldn't create a problem. Just a thought.
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