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technology use that ensures the avoidance of digital harm towards network users. Having a clear
AUP in an educational organization prevents abuse of the [school] districts computer network
from both staff and students (Consortium for School, 2011). Since schools are becoming more
acclimated to the digital tools of the 21st century, an AUP is a crucial procedure for all school
districts to follow. When dissecting the Acceptable Use Policy mandated by Caroline County
Public Schools, specific components should be clear and comprehended by all to ensure the
Typically, an AUP should have the following components: a preamble [or purpose],
definition of the AUP, an acceptable uses section, an unacceptable uses section, and a violations
section, however, additional components may be added or dismissed for the specific needs of a
school district (Glencoe, 2001). For Caroline County Public Schools (CCPS), two polices have
been put into place, one for students and one for employees. Though both documents seem
similar, there are components more detailed in relation to the Acceptable Use of Technology for
Employees than for the student based AUP (CCPS, 2016). For the Purpose, Policy
Statement, and Rationale portions of the documents, I found that both Acceptable Use
Policies were identical. Stating, the importance of employees, students, and parents engaging,
collaboration, learning and sharing in these digital environments is 21st century learning is a
positive way to introduce the guidelines to Caroline County. However, some suggestions may be
made in order for this essential technology-use guideline to be easily comprehended by all.
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY 2
For both students and employees, both documents begin with a Policy section that
highlights what the Regulations portion of the document will entail. One recommendation for
the AUP would be to condense Policy and Regulation into one overall document, as opposed
to two separate forms. Also, when researching other school districts, such as Montgomery
County Public Schools, their AUP procedure includes one document for all users of
technology (MCPS, 2016). According to this reputable school district, user by the AUP
standard is defined as any MCPS staff member, student, or other individual authorized to use
MCPS computer systems. Other individuals may include parents, volunteers, and contract or
temporary staff (MCPS, 2016). By not having separate documents for both employees of the
district and one for the students, everyone is clearly made aware of the expectations of every user.
For example, a teacher would no longer have to research the student AUP in order to ensure
guidelines are being followed as mandated by the schools technology-use expectations. If there
are specific components of the AUP that would only need reference to employees, this could be
made aware in the document without having to write an entirely separate Acceptable Use Policy.
As a continued analysis of the Acceptable Use Policies given by Caroline County Public
Schools, the same file has been distributed since 2012 without updating to current standards of
technology (CCPS, 2016). Since education is constantly evolving, a school districts AUP needs
consistent updating for the fast moving, digital world. In the era of classrooms having lessons
with each new Web 2.0 tool or digital medium used in classrooms. Having a live-document on a
Google Doc, or at least updated yearly by an AUP committee, would adhere to the ability to
model and facilitate safe, healthy, legal, and ethical uses of digital information and
section of the document would allow readers the ability to reference how current the form is and
to what extent the AUP has been updated over time. As a scenario, Each time the document is
changed or amended, an established AUP committee may record the date at the conclusion of the
document. Then, a notice of the change would be distributed to all users of the school districts
technology. When technology is concerned, communication with users is key in keeping all
literate on the expectations of use. Since classwork and lessons in Caroline County has been
moving towards the use of online classroom platforms, as Google Classrooms and Edmodo, it is
According to the SANS Institute (2014), the Unacceptable Use of Technology portion
of an AUP should be clear and precise as to what is expected of technology users. Unfortunately,
the Caroline County document does not cover areas such as Social Media and educational
platforms as Google Classroom lucidly. If a school strives to incorporate the use of a third party
educational platform, the district must address or link to the third party terms of service and use
policies. For example, Caroline County schools are making efforts in becoming a Google school,
it is imperative to include a stipulation in the AUP document about using Google Apps for
Education (GAFE) and similar programs. Both students and teachers are able to communicate
online through GAFE, so to ensure the privacy and safety of all users, expectations of online
classroom tools will keep all users well aware of expectations digital classroom usage.
an AUP, but this does not appear evident in the documents provided by Caroline County.
According to Montgomery County Public Schools (2016), their AUP specifically states,
noncompliance with the procedures and standards stated in [their] regulation is proper cause for
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY 4
disciplinary action (MCPS, 2016). Then, this document continues with a bulleted list of
infractions that could be made by the user of technology with the accompanying consequence.
Though policies of technology use has been presented in the Caroline County Public Schools
AUP, specific consequences for causing infractions has not been included. Representing the
consequences of technology misuse continue to ensure the safety and importance of Acceptable
Use Policies in a given school district. Overall, experts believe teachers should know how to
use technology to deliver alternative kinds of pedagogy as inquiring learning, models, and
simulations, however, in order to safely navigate throughout the digital world, updated and
clearly stated Acceptable Use Policies must be executed in all school systems (NEA, 2016).
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY 5
References
Consortium for School, N. (2011). Acceptable Use Policies in a Web 2.0 & Mobile Era: A Guide
for School Districts. Consortium For School Networking
Montgomery County Public Schools-MCPS. (2016). User responsibilities for computer systems,
electronic information, and network security. Retrieved from
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/igtra.pdf
National Educational Association- NEA. (2016). Technology in schools: the ongoing challenge
of access, adequacy, and equity. Retrieved from
http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/PB19_Technology08.pdf