AUP Update
Guidance for Alexandria Teachers
Paul George, School Administrator
Francis C. Hammond Middle School
Alexandria, VA
paul.george@acps.k12.va.us
Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP)
Clarification
An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is designed to
inform all students, teachers and staff, including
student teachers, part-time teachers, substitute
teachers, and other non-instructional employees of
expected behaviors when they use ACPS computer
systems. Because technology is an integral part of
today’s society, ACPS employees need to be aware of,
and model appropriate use of all available technology.
Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP)
MAIN POINTS
ACPS employees utilize computer
systems to support the mission
and educational goals of the
division.
Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP)
MAIN POINTS
ACPS employees understand that
documents and communications
created on division equipment
are the property of the division.
Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP)
MAIN POINTS
ACPS employees access the ACPS
network and internet resources
respectfully with regard to
language, information and
resource limits.
Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP)
MAIN POINTS
ACPS employees accept personal
responsibility for our equipment
and make every effort to afford
the equipment proper care and
security.
Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP)
MAIN POINTS
•ACPS employees value
the importance and principles
of digital citizenship.
AUP: Scenario
•You are completing a Masters of Education degree
program. Much of your research and assignments require
computer use and online access. You do not have a
personal computer at home so you create and store your
work on your ACPS issued laptop. You also use it to do
online research at home.
•TRUE/FALSE: It is acceptable to use your ACPS issued
laptop to complete coursework associated with getting
this advanced degree.
•ANSWER: TRUE – Because the pursuit of an advanced
degree in the field of education supports the mission
and goals of the division, it is an acceptable use of an
ACPS issued computer system.
AUP: Scenario
•A family member is selling candy to raise money for her
school. The person who raises the most money wins a trip to
Disney World. You tell her that you can help by asking
coworkers to support the fundraisers. You access your ACPS
email account from your home computer and use your
building/department distribution list to send an email to
everyone asking them to buy candy.
•TRUE/FALSE: This is an acceptable use of ACPS
computers since it is done after school hours and does
not interfere with your employee duties.
•ANSWER: FALSE – ACPS email can be used for
account or ACPS distribution limited personal business.
However, you can not use the lists to solicit funds or
support for an outside organization of any kind.
AUP: Scenario
•On some occasions, you use your lunch time to go
online to access your personal email and bank accounts.
You generally spend no more than 15 to 20 minutes
online.
•TRUE/FALSE: This is acceptable since it does not
interfere with your ACPS duties.
•ANSWER: TRUE - This is considered incidental
personal use and does not occur during instructional
time or while performing other assigned duties.
AUP: Scenario
•You were recently married and have collected at least
100 digital pictures from family and friends. They are
beginning to take up too much space on your hard drive
so you save them to your personal folder on the server.
•TRUE/FALSE: Since ACPS employees have been
given a folder on the LAN for personal files this is an
acceptable use.
•ANSWER: FALSE – Resources, including file space,
should be used for legitimate instructional purposes.
Personal files, such as pictures, should not be stored
on ACPS computer systems or file servers.
AUP: Scenario
•There are so many user IDs and passwords associated
with your ACPS work (LAN, email, intranet, Blackboard,
ERO, etc.). To help you remember them, you created a list
of all IDs and passwords and placed it in the top drawer of
your desk. No one knows about the list except a close
friend who works in the room next to yours.
•TRUE/FALSE: User IDs and passwords should never
be written down and left in a location that can be
accessed by others.
•ANSWER: TRUE – Passwords should never be shared
with anyone else. You run the risk of unauthorized
tampering with your accounts, thus threatening the
security of the ACPS computer system.
AUP: Scenario
•You receive an email message from someone you do not
know personally. You recognize the email address
domain because it is the same as your husband’s email.
The message includes an attachment which you are
directed to open immediately.
•TRUE/FALSE: You open the attachment because it
must be someone who knows your husband.
•ANSWER: FALSE – Attachments should only be
opened if you know the person who sent the message
and are sure of its validity. Opening an attachment
could put your computer and the entire ACPS
computer system at risk of spreading a virus.
AUP: Scenario
•Your sibling/spouse/friend is an IT professional with another
organization. They are able to bypass restrictions on your laptop
put in place by Technology Services. They are able to download
and install software that you would like to use with your students
in preparation for Standards of Learning (SOL) testing.
•TRUE/FALSE: This is acceptable use because the software
is guaranteed to improve your students’ SOL test scores
and it supports the goals of the School Board.
•ANSWER: FALSE – All employees should obtain permission
from Technology Services before installing any unauthorized
software on ACPS computer systems. No user, family member
or friend should attempt to “subvert the restrictions associated
with any computer system”.
What is Social Networking?
•View
Common Craft video.
•Complete Frayer Model worksheet.
What laws must we consider?
Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) for Public
and Private Schools (Code of Virginia §
22.1-70.2). This law reflects the circumstances
unique to the school or division and
the electronic system used; it clearly defines
responsible use of information networks.
What laws must we consider?
Family Involvement in Technology (FIT) Program
(Code of Virginia § 22.1-212.2:3).
This program promotes parental and family
involvement in children’s education,
including increased and appropriate supervision of
children using the Internet.
What laws must we consider?
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
Congress enacted this law in December 2000 to
address offensive Internet content on school and
library computers. It imposes specific requirements
on any school or library that receives funding
support for Internet access or internal connections
from the E-Rate Program.
What laws must we consider?
Free Speech
Freedom of speech is protected in the First
Amendment of the Bill of Rights and is
guaranteed to all Americans.
BUT.............
What laws must we consider?
Termination of Teacher
In November 2008, a North Carolina teacher
was fired as a result of an inappropriate
comment she made on her Facebook page.
What laws must we consider?
According to the Washington Post:
In states including Florida, Colorado, Tennessee and
Massachusetts, teachers have been removed or
suspended for MySpace postings, and some
teachers unions have begun warning members about
racy personal Web sites.
“When Young Teachers Go Wild,” published on April 28, 2008
What laws must we consider?
Suspension of Students
The following cases under review involve
students being disciplined for their off-campus
speech online:
•J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District
•Layshock v. Hermitage School District
Does ACPS Allow
Social Networking?
YES!
What is Blackboard?
•Blackboard
is an approved web-based
teaching & learning environment.
•Teachers build and manage
a web component for their courses.
•All teachers and students have a Bb account.
Does Bb Allow
Social Networking?
The following social networking tools are
available in Blackboard:
•Blogs
•Wikis
•Discussion Boards
•Media Sharing
Teachers are responsible for teaching and modeling appropriate usage of these.
RECOMMENDATIONS
•Do not “friend” students or invite them
to “friend” you, (i.e. add them to you
network or vice versa).
•Do not post information, comments, or
personal views that you would not want
published in the newspaper.
RECOMMENDATIONS
•Choose privacy settings that only allow
friends to view your information.
•Be a role model, even though students
will not see your page or profile.
•Utilize Blackboard to engage students
in social networking activities.