Protecting a Digital Learning Community

One of the key ways that a DLC can protect itself and its users is to create and enforce an Acceptable Use Policy

An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)  or fair use policy, is a set of rules applied by the owner or manager of a network, website, service, or corporation that restrict the ways in which the network, website or system may be used. AUP's are written for businesses, schools, universities, networking groups and social media to protect themselves and others from legal action. For this reason, an AUP must be concise and clear, while covering the most important points about what users are and are not allowed to do with the IT systems they are using or joining.  

Unfortunately, most of the time there is little enforcement. AUPs are hard to police without the help of software or personnel to monitor appropriate use. 

According to Educationworld.com,

"The National Education Association suggests that an effective AUP contain the following six key elements:

• a preamble,
• a definition section,
• a policy statement,
• an acceptable uses section,
• an unacceptable uses section, and
• a violations/sanctions section."

The preamble explains why the policy is needed, This section should say that the school's overall code of conduct also applies to student online activity.

The definition section defines key words used in the policy. Any possibly ambiguous terms need to be defined and explained to ensure students and parents understand.

A policy statement must tell what computer services are covered by the AUP and the circumstances under which students can use computers, wifi /network access or other technology. 

The acceptable uses section must define appropriate student use of the computer network. It may, for example, limit student use of the network to "educational purposes," that are determined by the teacher/school. 

In the unacceptable uses section, the AUP should give clear, specific examples of what constitutes unacceptable student use. In determining what is unacceptable, including

• "what kind of computer network sites, if any, should be off limits to students;
• what kind of student sending, forwarding, or posting of information, if any, should be prohibited, and
• what kind of student behavior will be destructive to the computer network services and should, therefore, be restricted." (Educationworld.com)

The violations/sanctions section should tell students how to report violations or what punishment should be expected if the policy is violated.