Acceptable Use Policies

An acceptable use policy or AUP for short is a policy that outlines rules that have to be followed while using forms of technology. As Mitchell states, it also includes unacceptable uses and the consequences that will take place if the technology is used inappropriately (2016). According to Getting Started on the Internet, some AUPs also have students and parents sign the document stating that they understand and are aware of the policy (n.d). The overall idea of an AUP is the safety of those using technology.

Within an AUP, multiple things should be included. Mitchell goes through what should be contained within his article. Some of the information that should be included he states are the policy owner(s), the rules and examples to relate the policy to “real life”, and consequences if rules are broken (2016). The more thorough the policy is, the better all who will be held to it will understand.

Having an AUP is extremely important especially when it comes to students. They have grown up around technology and know many ways to use it that are not appropriate to benefit their learning. Having a policy that makes them aware of what is acceptable for school purposes and what is not is needed. I also like the idea mentioned above of having both students and parents sign in agreement with the policy. This not only might help them all read the policy and be aware of them but also make it easier to hold students accountable if they break the policy rules. With a signature, there is no denying that they knew what was allowed and what wasn’t allowed. Examples relating the rules to a real-life situation can also help in explaining to students what each rule really means when it comes to their use at school.

Below you will find four AUPs that relate to my educational area. I am a high school teacher and tried to find different policies that could easily be incorporated into my classroom. One of these policies is the one for my school district. I think it’s great to have a district and/or school policy, but individual classroom policies are great to consider as well.

Example Policies

School Districts:

Greenville County Schools

Lexington School District One

High Schools:

Upland High School

John Burroughs School

References

Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2018, from https://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml

Mitchell, B. (2016, October 19). What is an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)? Retrieved February 24, 2018, from https://www.lifewire.com/acceptable-use-policy-aup-817563