Blogs and Wikis

Aubrey Thornton
FRIT 7330 Summer 2011

Geller, J., Gerot, B., Hays, A., Levis, A. M., Smith, C., Torrey, J., & Walston, M. (2011, May 10). Technology appropriate use guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.4j.lane.edu/cis/appropriate_use Summary The Eugene, Oregon School District 4J provides a technology appropriate use policy for its students and employees. The policy defines social networking along with what constitutes a blog, a wiki, and other key terms. The system encourages all users to find and use blogs and wikis. Although a filter is provided, students and parents are cautioned that objectionable material may be accessible and a process for reporting is listed. Blogs and wikis may be accessed with personal technology, but it must be done in a responsible and respectful manner (these behaviors are defined in the student handbook). Users are further cautioned that everything posted on blogs and wikis is public for all to see and basic netiquette expectations are provided. Strengths This district embraces the use of technology without allowing the fear of misuse to limit the educational possibilities. The authors acknowledge the potential for misuse and provide a mechanism for dealing with such occurrences. Stakeholders, specifically students and parents, are charged with personal responsibility in the use of social media and in reporting abuses along with unanticipated issues that filter technologies might miss. The acceptance of personal technology usage for instructional purposes exhibits extraordinary vision and understanding of current trends. Student discipline policy is referenced to encourage responsible and respectful use of all resources, including blogs and wikis. This districts policy was the best of all that I explored. Weaknesses This policy was well thought out and exhibits no glaring weaknesses. Playing devils advocate, I do believe that such a wide open policy will have many detractors, both from the faculty and the community. I can see certain types of parents finding such access, even though supervised and filtered, as too tolerant. Principals are notorious as a group for wanting extreme controls in place to avoid even the smallest controversies and could question such a policy. Also, the allowance of personal technology to be brought into the classroom for instructional purposes at the discretion of the teacher raises problems of securing the items when they are not in use. This should have been addressed in the policy.

Allen, G., Cazares, S. L., Jimenez, A., Morales, J. A., Ramirez, S., Smith, S., & Varela, D. (2011). Stockton Unified School District student acceptable use policy. Retrieved from http://www.stockton.k12.ca.us/SUSD/curriculum/documents/StudentAUP2011. pdf

Summary The Stockton AUP is extremely limiting. Social networking sites are banned completely. Social networking is forbidden in both the Internet safety/cybersafety section of the policy and in the e-mail, blogs, message boards, instant messaging, and personal web pages section. No acknowledgement is made of the educational value of social media. No allowance for educational use of wikis or blogs is included. Strengths This is a bulletproof policy for insulating the district from lawsuits and controversy that might emerge from the use of social networking like blogs and wikis. The board is obviously ruled by the fear of cyber predators in this area and their policy is a bulwark against their fear. The policy is also in place to insure that the content flowing through the system network is as tightly controlled as possible. The board sees the use of technology resources mainly as a research tool and limits access accordingly. Weaknesses The board sees the use of technology resources mainly as a research tool and limits access accordingly. Web 2.0 is not something they see as beneficial to the educational process. Cybersafety and the boards fear of inappropriate content generation overwhelms any need they see for more liberal access rules. They have no awareness of the educational value of wikis and blogs.

Barros, J. F., Groover, G. G., Harris, A. J., Martinez, C., ONeill, M. D., Raynor, M., & Tamer, M. (2010). BPS policies: Using the internet in school. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url? sa=t&source=web&cd=22&ved=0CCcQFjABOBQ&url=http%3A%2F %2Fwww.bpscybersafety.org%2Faup %2FBPS_Guide_AUP_2010_2011_English.pdf&rct=j&q=public%20school %20policy%20on%20student%20use%20of%20social %20media&ei=fEYeTosFyO3SAdekoJYD&usg=AFQjCNGqwPVWLIZsbqXrRsqro PbvsNY77Q&sig2=V3YgTTwCfHSZJ4y_c3wFBg&cad=rja

Summary Boston Public Schools internet policy allows the use of blogs and wikis for educational purposes. The policy requires that the students treat one another respectfully when using social media. Students are directed to follow school and teacher guidelines for publishing schoolwork online. Finally, students are warned about the safety requirements for publishing online, with the dangers of posting personal information pointed out and the admonition to not post other students photos with their first and last names without permission of that student (age 18+) or the students parent/guardian. Strengths This system sees the emerging value of social media like blogs and wikis and incorporated their use into the AUP. The language of the policy stresses personal responsibility along with the requirements of the system. Appropriate safeguards are in place for safety and for the polite use of these tools. Weaknesses The policy is quite robust. However, while students are warned not to treat other people poorly, this possibility does still exist. A stronger warning with consequences indicated should be included in this section.

Personal Policy
I. Definitions
a. Filtering: A process to deny access to certain websites or resources as defined in the filter. b. Internet: A worldwide network that connects smaller networks together. c. Social Networking: Websites that provide means of personal communications between participants (i.e. FaceBook, MySpace) d. Wiki: A website that allows the easy collaborative creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikipedia definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki - cite_note-0 e. Blog: Blend of the terms web and log. It is considered a type of website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. f. Cyberbullying the use of any electronic communication device to convey a message in any form (text, image, audio, or video) that violates Board Policy on bullying or which disrupts or prevents a safe and positive educational or working environment, or places a person in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to their property. Any form of cyberbullying, by students or staff is prohibited and will not be tolerated. a. Only first names shall be used. b. Pictures will not include identifying information. c. Any work that necessitates requiring replies should use the teachers email address, not the students. d. If approved by the administration and with parent-signed release, identifying information can be used. However, under no circumstances may a students home address or phone number be included. a. Unacceptable Use- including but not limited to: i. Violation of school board policy ii.Violation of any local, state, or federal law. iii.The defamation of another. iv.The use of profanity, obscenity, or other offensive material. v.Political activity vi.Harming the systems network vii.Cyberbullying viii.Bypassing the system internet filter. b. Appropriate Use- including but not limited to: i. Educational use only. 1. Content and purpose must directly apply to GPS standards 2. Teacher must have controlling access with the ability to remove any inappropriate content. ii.Be Polite 1. Be careful with humor. It can be misinterpreted without interpersonal context. 2. Content must be respectful of others. iii.Be Safe

II. Internet Publishing Guidelines

III. Use of Blogs and Wikis

1. No personal identifiers- yours or anyone elses. 2. No direct communication with someone outside the assignment. 3. Follow all rules and guidelines set for the by the teacher and district.