Topic: What does an "Internet Safety and Security" policy need to look like in your classroom?
Think about:
1. how your students will use the Web
2. the Standards (above)
3. your type of Web access
4. your building/district AUP
5. the grade level of your students
The "Internet Safety and Security" policy in my classroom will need to be very specific, easy to follow, and strict. Since I am a 6th grade teacher, in a district that allows access to many internet sites, it will be important to lay out concise guidelines for my students. Through the exploration of this week's online classes, I have learned many things that need to be included in my policy. The first item is something that I feel very strongly about.
#1. EXAMPLES - Included in my policy will be examples of acceptable and unacceptable behavior. It will be important to not only have the policies outlined, but to have an example of what breaking that rule/policy looks like.
#2. Plagiarism - Students must cite sources properly. Students in my classroom have been practicing this using Noodlebib - http://www.noodletools.com/, but this should be something started from the very beginning of the year. This is something very important for middle school students, since many classrooms complete research type projects. The students need to understand what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, and how to properly use other people's information (i.e. cite sources).
#3. Personal Usage - Students will not be allowed to use the internet for personal usage. Students love to go on to photobooth, open games, etc. in middle school. This will not be allowed in my classroom, unless it is for a project. Furthermore, sites like facebook, myspace, etc. will not be allowed to be accessed (I don't think you can get to them anyway). However, personal email will be allowed to be used to email projects, papers, assignments. My students use their emails all the time to email themselves a paper that they are working on. It is very helpful!
#4. Blogging - Since I plan to incorporate blogging into my future lessons and classroom, it will be important for students to understand not to give out personal information and to use appropriate behavior when accessing blogs.
As you can see, my Internet Policy will be designed specifically for my classroom and the usage. Students in middle school can be a tricky bunch that need structure.
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With the blogs, you'll also need to give very specific examples of good/bad commenting!
ReplyDeleteGlad you included something about personal use. We cannot access our email at work and it is sometimes difficult. Coworkers who are contracted and don't always get a work email account so they use personal email to send things to and fro. Coworkers also email thing to themselves because they can't always access the work email outside the office.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is a great idea to include examples. This helps better understand the instruction / requirement / behavior.
I think examples is a great component to include in your policy. The more examples = less confusion and "oops" moments (for the students).
ReplyDeleteNoodle Tools - thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteIncluding examples is a great thing because there can be so much ambiguity on what things are allowed or not allowed. Good idea!
You are so right about the challenges of teaching middle school students. They are bright and curious, but sometimes their enthusiasm can get in the way of good judgment. I too like the idea of giving examples of both appropriate and inappropriate of rule breaking. Again, however, it might be better to emphasize what is acceptable and to make sure students understand why reponsible behavior is necessary.
ReplyDelete