Students Acceptable use of Computer/Internet Resources

In my first post I discussed how automating the POD (problem of the day) has helped my students with instant feedback for them and for me, the teacher. As I reflect on the tools that I have put into the hands of my students, I am also concerned about their appropriate use and potential misuses.

While our school has an acceptable computer use policy, I am concerned about teaching my students to be responsible cyber citizens. In searching to see what other teachers have done, I am concerned about the typical punishment that is attached to the policies. The most typical punishment seems to be the removal of computer and Internet privileges.

The removal of these privileges has me concerned about how effective they might be. They could also impact the potential learning for the student. Take for example the POD feedback discussed in my first post. While I have not ruled out the removal of students computer privileges, I don't think that should be the only or first reaction to inappropriate computer use. I believe that a teacher should first use their own classroom management tools; pulling a student aside and discussing the conduct; having a discussion with the students parents; teacher detentions; and then possibly school suspensions.

I like the basic rules that budtheteacher speaks of on his wiki. The idea of guidelines instead of rules seems much easier to understand and implement. I have borrowed the rules from that site and adapted them for use by my own students.

Here is my first pass at some Computer/Internet rules for my classroom spaces.

1. Students using computer Internet resources are expected to treat moodle class spaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate in the moodle classroom spaces. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other students, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.

2. All conversations, posts, messages posted to the moodle class space are logged and subject to review by the teacher and school administration.

3. Students who violate the agreements here shall be subject to the classroom rules of the teacher and all school policies.

4. Student blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will sometimes be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. Students are welcome to post on any school-appropriate subject at any time, outside of their classroom requirements.