AUP Comparision and Wordle

Here is the link to the Jeffco Wordle.

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6886602/Jeffco_AUS_Policy

I also ran Cherry Creeks AUS to have something to compare

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6886610/Cherry_Creek_AUS

I reviewed both Cherry Creek and Jeffco's policies in preparation in writing my own AUP document. I found that neither of these districts used the outline from Borgia, but both consisted of most of the 6 key elements. One of the items I felt that Borgia was missing is a consent form to state that both parent and student have read and understand the agreement in which they entire.

The first part of Borgia's outline is the Preamble. As with many other documents, this serves as a quick, to the point introduction of a long document. If the AUP is to stand alone, and not within another agreement, I feel this is necessary. If the AUP is embedded within other documents, IE a classroom syllabus or student handbook, a preamble may not be needed. 

The second key element is the definition section. Again, if the AUP is embedded with other items, this may not be a stand-alone item. However, I do believe ensuring that all parties involved understand that same lingo is essential. For my Definitions section, I will be defining elements such as bullying, plagiarism, internet, and harassment. This will also give me a place to reference other Jeffco policies which are prudent to the AUP and clear standards.

The third element is the actual policy statement. This is the "meat" of the AUP and serves as the backbone of the district or classroom internet guidelines. It is essential to outline which devices may or may not connect to the internet, what types of sites are forbidden, and a privacy statement for connecting/using the internet. For example, Cherry Creek School District allows students to connect any device they wish, with the understanding that it at any time can be viewed by the district (with probable cause).  Jeffco also allows most devices to connect to their internet, but does not put the privacy policy in such words.

The next section is acceptable use. This section, for a school district, must limit the use of their internet for educational purposes only. I liked how both districts worded theirs in being "deemed by the teacher." This allows creative freedom for the teacher while still limiting the use within the classroom. Both school districts have sites in which they prefer teachers to use for blogging, which allows the teacher to control certain aspects (for example the teacher must approve the blog before it gets posted, and keeps unauthorized/private users from posting).

The fifth section is the unacceptable use policy. Because the internet is a fluid environment, there is no way for a district to outline all possible outcomes here. However, both districts address this issue by reserving the right for the policy to be added to or changed at any time and as deemed necessary.

The last section in in AUP outline is Violations/ Sanctions. This section can detail how unacceptable use will be handled or refer to the student handbook on discipline. Most importantly, this severs as a place to put contact information for reporting unacceptable use for both students and parents. 

Overall, I like how the AUP is outlined. I think it creates a clean, well-organized document for staff, students and parents. After reading Jeffco's and CCSD’s, I wish they both outlined theirs in a similar fashion to help students find the information easier and to help teachers whom extensively use the internet to incorporate the document as needed into their syllabus.