AUP Policy Part 2

Use of Information Technology and Social Media & Violations

The HCT provides an integrated learning environment which incorporates the use of smart
learning and modern technology. Students must use these tools responsibly and effectively in
their various activities and scientific research.

Students must also abide by the conditions set forth in the HCT Code of Conduct, which states
the responsibilities of the user and conditions of use of the Internet and social media. Students
will be held accountable for any abuse of use and this may ultimately lead to termination from
the Higher Colleges of Technology

Any misuse or abuse of the service, or any breach or violation of either this policy or any other
policies governing the use of Internet, is the sole responsibility of the user. The Higher Colleges
of Technology are not responsible for any liability resulting from user activity.

• Any violation of the Internet Access Policy and Procedure shall be referred to the
appropriate Director.
• Repeat violations or severe violations shall be referred to the Provost.
• Violations may result in the suspension or termination of Internet access, or in the
severest circumstances, expulsion of students or termination of employment contracts.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood everything stated in the Methaq” Student
Code of Conduct booklet and pledge to abide by all the provisions contained therein.

Student name:

Signature:

Guardians:

Date:

A copy of the signed acknowledgment is kept in the student’s file at the college’s Student
Services Department.

Discussion about the History of AUP

Where did it come from?

This AUP comes from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) which is a community of
more than 23,000 students and 2,000 staff based on 17 modern, technology-enhanced campuses
all over the UAE. The vision of the colleges is to give learners the opportunity to learn in a
technologically sophisticated, e-learning environment to make it the largest higher education
institution in the UAE.

Who, when & why was it developed?

Central services at the HCT developed the AUP for using the internet and web services and it
was updated in the academic year 2017-2018. The purpose of developing this AUP is that the
HCT wants to make sure that students, teachers, administrators, and parents are aware of their
benefits and regulations. Another reason for the AUP is that it will be a model for facilitating
the use of digital information and technologies college-wide. Users of this AUP are students,
teachers, administrators, and parents

Do you use it? How?

As a teacher, I should use the policy to know what web resources and social media tools I can
apply in the classroom and what I should not utilize. I believe each teacher should be aware of
the policy and be updated with any changes because we have a huge responsibility towards
students’ learning. In addition, teachers will feel safe using any social media tool accredited by
the colleges. Honestly, I have never seen the AUP but after working on this project, I feel I
should look at it at the beginning of each academic year.

The Purpose of Using Digital Tools

The framework for 21st century learning is linked to technology and it emphasizes technology
literacy. ICT literacy focuses on using digital technology, communication tools, and networks
to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information (“Using Technology,” n.d.).
There are important purposes for using digital tools in education (“13 Reasons for Using
Technology,” n.d.):

- Demonstrating Students’ Independence: technology provides learners with various

options for accomplishing goals. For example, Prezi can be used to present a book
report in a more interesting way. Students will choose what suit their communication
and learning style.
 - Students’ Needs Differentiations: technology can do a lot for different types of
learners, such as visual, aural, verbal, and kinesthetic. The various resources will help
learners with art, music, combination of colors, and images.
- Students’ Desire to Use Technology: iPads, and laptops are used widely by today’s
students, so they will be motivated to learn using what they are eager to follow.

Benefits & Regulations

- Having access to the internet while at the HCT.

- Internet Access will be provided to the user only after signing and accepting the terms
of reference stated in the Internet access form.
- Internet service will be suspended when the staff or student leaves the HCT.
- Users are permitted the use of the Internet service that supports the institutional needs
and for furthering their knowledge in their areas of expertise in the HCT.
- Users are permitted with limited personal use of the Internet.
- Users are not allowed to share their login id and password for accessing internet.
- Accessing, contributing and downloading from offensive sites are not allowed.
Offensive sites include sites that support racism, derogatory religious sentiments,
offensive language, defamation, derogatory, abusive attacks on any individual or group
and sites having pornographic content.
References
13 Reasons for Using Technology in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2018, from
http://www.teachhub.com/13-reasons-using-technology-classroom
Using Technology as a Tool for Learning and Developing 21st Century Citizenship Skills:
An Examination of the NETS and Technology Use by Preservice Teachers With Their K-12
Students. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2018, from http://www.citejournal.org/volume-8/issue-
4-08/social-studies/using-technology-as-a-tool-for-learning-and-developing-21st-century-
citizenship-skills-an-examination-of-the-nets-and-technology-use-by-preservice-teachers-
with-their-k-12-students/