Acceptable Use

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science
English Language Arts

Grade(s)

8

Overview

In this activity, the students will review the school technology/acceptable use policy.  The students will research items to include in these types of policies, including legal protections such as CIPA, COPPA, FERPA, ADA Compliance, etc. Finally, the students will collaboratively draft their own policy and share with their classmates, school, and/or board of education. 

This activity was created as a result of the DLCS COS Resource Development Summit.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.R2

Recognize and demonstrate age-appropriate responsible use of digital devices and resources as outlined in school/district rules.

UP:DLCS18.8.R2

Knowledge

Students know:
  • school/district rules for technology use.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • operate within the safety guidelines provided by the student's school and/or district.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • guidelines are in place to ensure safe use of school equipment.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 8

ELA21.8.R1

Utilize active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings, following agreed-upon rules for participation.

UP:ELA21.8.R1

Vocabulary

  • Active listening
  • Discussion
  • Conversation
  • Rules
  • Participation

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Active listening skills.
  • How to engage in discussions and conversations in a variety of settings.
  • Agreed-upon rules for participation.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Demonstrate active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings.
  • Converse in pairs, small groups, and large groups.
  • Practice the agreed-upon rules for participation.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Conversations and discussions follow agreed-upon rules which help us actively listen and gain understanding.

Learning Objectives

Students will identify the responsible use of digital devices and resources outlined in the school technology/acceptable use policy. 

Students will research items to include in acceptable use policies, including legal protections such as CIPA, COPPA, FERPA, ADA Compliance, etc. 

Students will engage in discussions about what they think should be included in an acceptable use policy.

Students will collaboratively draft their own policy and share with their classmates, school, and/or board of education. 

Activity Details

Teachers will provide students access to a printed or digital version of the school's technology/acceptable use agreement. 

Students will be given time to review the document and highlight the information he/she may feel is not necessary to include in the document.

Students will work in pairs or groups to research items that professionals feel should be included in an acceptable use agreement, with a focus on the needs of schools. Students may find it beneficial to review other schools' policies as well. Teachers may locate and provide websites for review or may allow students to hone their internet search skills to find and verify the information they are seeking. 

Students should be encouraged to research CIPA Law, COPPA Law, and FERPA in addition to their review of other acceptable use agreements. 

As students research, they should note items they wish to include in the policy that they will draft at the conclusion of this activity. Students' groups/pairs will need to decide as a group what items they feel are best to include in a sample policy they will draft as the assessment for this activity. 

Once students draft a policy, they should share the policy with another group of students in the class for peer review and feedback. 

Assessment Strategies

Students will work in pairs or groups to draft a sample acceptable usage agreement. Policies should be peer reviewed to check for inclusion of all facets of protection needed in an acceptable use agreement. Teachers may find exemplars to share with the school's technology department or possibly the board of education.

Variation Tips

Students could be assigned sections of the acceptable use agreement and create arguments for or against their assigned portion.

Should devices be unavailable, sample policies can be printed for students to use in their research. 

Background / Preparation

Students will need access to the school's acceptable use agreement (technology usage policy).

Students will need access to devices to research online. Students should be paired or grouped for this activity, so not every student needs a device.

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

aimeebates
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