This chapter takes the focus from legal issues of use of the Internet to ethical issues. It discusses cyber ethics and ethics training.
Three issues are discussed that relate to cyber ethics. Three scenarios are given where the use of cyber ethics are questionable. The first scenario discusses the inappropriate use of school resources by the students, teachers, staff, and administration. The second scenario deals with schools allowing commercial entities to have access to the school systems where the students will be working. The example given, Zap Me, exposes the students to multiple ads as well as collects information, such as student's age, sex, and zip code, about each student that can make it unsafe for the students. The third scenario is just flat out violence that students are taping and posting on the Internet. Teens are so impressed by these videos that they create their own in which they commit criminal acts and are not making good ethical decisions about their behavior and what they are putting on line.
The next section was ethics training which discusses some ways to prevent these ethical issues from occurring. It expresses the need for all people who use computers and the Internet to be aware of these ethical issues and to receive proper training to prevent them from occurring. When students first begin to use a computer and then go on to use the Internet is the best time for them to begin to use the ethical use of the computer. Teachers need to discuss with their students ethical behaviors when they use the computer as well as working these issues into instruction, assignments, and assessments so that the students are well aware of the correct behavior expected of them when using the computer and the Internet. The teachers need to be well aware of technology and the ethical use of it so that they can pass it on to their students. The book has a gray box that would be good to make into a poster and post by the computers. It is on page 85 and is called the "Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics. I think that this would be a good visual reminder for students to see that would help them to develop an understanding of the ethical use of computers.
Monday, November 21, 2011
GEM 4 Cyber Law by Aimee M. Bissonette Chapter 5 The School as an Internet Service Provider
This chapter talked about the importance of schools providing Internet service to their students. It began by talking about how the Navajo nation, rural schools, African American, Hispanics, those living in poverty, and those who are disabled have low access to the Internet through the schools. It explains how it is vitally important for all of these students to have access to the Internet because it is such a big part of life in the United States today. Students are expected to have computer skills as they enter college and many jobs require the use of computers so all students should have access to computers so that they can at least develop basic skills.
The second issue the chapter discusses is the ability of students to access sexually explicit material. It talked about the use of filtering software but also explained how in high school this may be set low so that students can access more information they may need. The danger of this is that students may come across inappropriate websites as well. Schools were forced to use filtering systems through the Children's Internet Protection Act in order to receive E-Rate funding. Schools must avoid over filtering though because if they do not it may impede the educational process and could expose them to lawsuits. On the other hand, if they do not keep a close eye on their filtering system and students access inappropriate web sites they could be exposed to law suits so it is a fine line school have to tow in providing Internet service to their students.
The role of the school is to provide as many students as possible with access to the Internet. They can not provide all students without home access to the Internet but those that they can do should receive a rich computer and Internet experience. The book suggests that schools should build computer skills into the curriculum and and provide software that provides critical-thinking skills and how to use a computer as well as drill and practice software. Another suggestions for schools is that they establish a computer take-home programs for their students. In allowing students to have this access to the Internet they need to establish a balanced filter system that will allow the students to access the things they may need while also protecting them from inappropriate sites. They should have strictly written policies that students must follow in order to use the schools computers and Internet service. Teacher need to closely monitor their students to be sure they are not going to these inappropriate places and that they are using if for what was intended. Teachers need to instruct their students in how to access and use the Internet appropriately. They should also address the issue of Internet safety with their students so that they learn how to safely access information and avoid those sites that would not be appropriate. They should be taught how to access the sites they will want to use and what they should do if they ever come across an inappropriate site. These things should be taught to children beginning at an early age. It is important for students to learn how to recognize these inappropriate content and understand how to respond to this content in the safest way.
The second issue the chapter discusses is the ability of students to access sexually explicit material. It talked about the use of filtering software but also explained how in high school this may be set low so that students can access more information they may need. The danger of this is that students may come across inappropriate websites as well. Schools were forced to use filtering systems through the Children's Internet Protection Act in order to receive E-Rate funding. Schools must avoid over filtering though because if they do not it may impede the educational process and could expose them to lawsuits. On the other hand, if they do not keep a close eye on their filtering system and students access inappropriate web sites they could be exposed to law suits so it is a fine line school have to tow in providing Internet service to their students.
The role of the school is to provide as many students as possible with access to the Internet. They can not provide all students without home access to the Internet but those that they can do should receive a rich computer and Internet experience. The book suggests that schools should build computer skills into the curriculum and and provide software that provides critical-thinking skills and how to use a computer as well as drill and practice software. Another suggestions for schools is that they establish a computer take-home programs for their students. In allowing students to have this access to the Internet they need to establish a balanced filter system that will allow the students to access the things they may need while also protecting them from inappropriate sites. They should have strictly written policies that students must follow in order to use the schools computers and Internet service. Teacher need to closely monitor their students to be sure they are not going to these inappropriate places and that they are using if for what was intended. Teachers need to instruct their students in how to access and use the Internet appropriately. They should also address the issue of Internet safety with their students so that they learn how to safely access information and avoid those sites that would not be appropriate. They should be taught how to access the sites they will want to use and what they should do if they ever come across an inappropriate site. These things should be taught to children beginning at an early age. It is important for students to learn how to recognize these inappropriate content and understand how to respond to this content in the safest way.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
GEM 3 Cyber Law by Aimee M. Bissonette Chapter 4 Privacy and Security
This chapter focuses on the privacy of students. Information on students is obtained, stored, and accessed electronically on computers. Other staff members can often obtain information on any student in the school easily through this system. Another concern is student information posted on Websites that can be accessed by anybody. This chapter talks about the privacy law, records storage and retention, information sharing among staff, student self-disclosure, and the schools role in addressing privacy concerns.
The privacy law that student privacy is based on is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. This law dictates how schools can use, store, and disseminate students educational records electronically and who they can allow access to these records. Schools must notify parents and obtain consent from parents before posting or disclosing private information about students where other people can see it.
This law also affects how schools school and retain records because students and parents must have access to this information if they choose to see it. Schools are required to provide this information if asked so they must have ways so that the students and parents can easily access the information. If schools choose to use electronic resources to keep these kinds of records they need to find an adequate way to back up these records in case they are lost.
It continues on to talk about information sharing among staff. Most teachers understand their limitations on sharing student information with people outside of the school but are not as aware of their limitations within the school. Teachers are not allowed to share student information with other teachers or staff members. The other staff members have no legal rights to this information, even grades, so it is not legal for teachers to share this information even within the school community.
Another concern is student self-disclosure. Many students will disclose personal information online through surveys, contests, and games. Some sites require parental permission but only for children 13 yrs. old and younger. Most students do not understand that these sites lead to marketing schemes or even possibly identify theft. This information on chat rooms can lead to the students talking to people on line that may cause them harm. This section concludes by discussing the formation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPA) whose purpose is to police websites directed to children.
Finally, the chapter defines the school's role in addressing privacy concerns. It stress's the importance of school formulating plans to address inappropriate disclosure of information by the school, information sharing among teachers and staff, and student self-disclosure. The inappropriate disclosure of information by the school can be addressed by strictly following the FERPA's guidelines by getting consent from the parents right at the beginning of the year. Another way to address this is by drafting policies related to disclosure and giving the parents the opportunity to opt out of this policy. To guard against information sharing among teachers and staff the school can educate its teachers on the policies of FERPA. The school can also have its IT department install password-protected screen savers so that other teachers can not access each others information about their students. Teachers can also be educated on how to send communications with limited student information. To prevent student self-disclosure students need to be educated about the risks and dangers of disclosing their personal information on line.
The privacy law that student privacy is based on is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. This law dictates how schools can use, store, and disseminate students educational records electronically and who they can allow access to these records. Schools must notify parents and obtain consent from parents before posting or disclosing private information about students where other people can see it.
This law also affects how schools school and retain records because students and parents must have access to this information if they choose to see it. Schools are required to provide this information if asked so they must have ways so that the students and parents can easily access the information. If schools choose to use electronic resources to keep these kinds of records they need to find an adequate way to back up these records in case they are lost.
It continues on to talk about information sharing among staff. Most teachers understand their limitations on sharing student information with people outside of the school but are not as aware of their limitations within the school. Teachers are not allowed to share student information with other teachers or staff members. The other staff members have no legal rights to this information, even grades, so it is not legal for teachers to share this information even within the school community.
Another concern is student self-disclosure. Many students will disclose personal information online through surveys, contests, and games. Some sites require parental permission but only for children 13 yrs. old and younger. Most students do not understand that these sites lead to marketing schemes or even possibly identify theft. This information on chat rooms can lead to the students talking to people on line that may cause them harm. This section concludes by discussing the formation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPA) whose purpose is to police websites directed to children.
Finally, the chapter defines the school's role in addressing privacy concerns. It stress's the importance of school formulating plans to address inappropriate disclosure of information by the school, information sharing among teachers and staff, and student self-disclosure. The inappropriate disclosure of information by the school can be addressed by strictly following the FERPA's guidelines by getting consent from the parents right at the beginning of the year. Another way to address this is by drafting policies related to disclosure and giving the parents the opportunity to opt out of this policy. To guard against information sharing among teachers and staff the school can educate its teachers on the policies of FERPA. The school can also have its IT department install password-protected screen savers so that other teachers can not access each others information about their students. Teachers can also be educated on how to send communications with limited student information. To prevent student self-disclosure students need to be educated about the risks and dangers of disclosing their personal information on line.
GEM 2 Cyber Law by Aimee M. Bissonette Chapter 3 Staff Use of the Internet
This chapter talked about the misuse of the Internet by teachers and staff. It gave examples of a superintendent, a teacher and a substitute teacher that misused the Internet. It discussed the issue of the right of free speech for teachers and staff. This right is based on certain things such as if the speech occurred in class or off duty, if the it was expressed on the school's Internet service, if it was on a protected topic, or of it disrupted the workplace. The school can restrict the speech of teachers when on campus and have been watching off-campus use closely as well. There is still question on how much control schools can have over teachers and staff on the off-campus use of free speech on the Internet. The courts are split over just how much control the schools have.
The next part of the chapter talks about the schools role in avoiding the misuse of the Internet by teachers and staff. Schools can help to avoid this problem by communicating with their administrators, teachers, and staff the expectations of on-campus use of the Internet as well as the expectations for off-campus use. The chapter suggests having clearly written policies for the administrators, teachers, and staff to follow and to make sure that they understand it as well. It is also important for the schools to enforce these polices.
The chapter concludes by restating that the teacher and staffs use of the Internet and on-campus speech can be restricted by law. The school can define their Internet system as a limited forum system which will restrict its use to educational purposes. The law is much more unclear on the use of the Internet use and free speech of administrators, teachers, and staff when they are off-campus. The school system has to put more thought into how to monitor the off-campus use of the Internet and free speech of its employees.
The next part of the chapter talks about the schools role in avoiding the misuse of the Internet by teachers and staff. Schools can help to avoid this problem by communicating with their administrators, teachers, and staff the expectations of on-campus use of the Internet as well as the expectations for off-campus use. The chapter suggests having clearly written policies for the administrators, teachers, and staff to follow and to make sure that they understand it as well. It is also important for the schools to enforce these polices.
The chapter concludes by restating that the teacher and staffs use of the Internet and on-campus speech can be restricted by law. The school can define their Internet system as a limited forum system which will restrict its use to educational purposes. The law is much more unclear on the use of the Internet use and free speech of administrators, teachers, and staff when they are off-campus. The school system has to put more thought into how to monitor the off-campus use of the Internet and free speech of its employees.
Monday, November 14, 2011
GEM 1 Cyber Law by Aimee M. Bissonette Chapter 2 Students Use of the Internet
This chapter talked about the issues that surround the students inappropriate use of the Internet and then the school's role in preventing this inappropriate use.
The primary issue that is addressed is the issue of free speech. If students publish inappropriate things on the Internet can something be done without violating the students right to free speech. The chapter talks about U.S. courts ruling that students do have the right to free speech but there are certain limits within they must work. Schools have the right through case law to restrict students speech as long as they are on school grounds. Case law also gives the school the right to restrict students speech if it will disrupt the classroom or invade someone else's rights. They can restrict this speech much easier when the students are on student grounds then when they are off.
As far as on campus use schools can restrict the use of the Internet because they are the ones who pay for and maintain the services. By declaring a limited forum school can place reasonable restrictions on students use of speech on the Internet. This can include obscene, profane, rude and any speech that could cause damage to the school.
Off campus inappropriate use of speech is a little harder for schools to deal with and sometimes they just have to let it go. They have no legal recourse if things were taped off school grounds and posted on line without fear of violating the free speech of the student. The only type of off campus inappropriate speech schools can respond to and not have to fear being sued is if the speech threatens violence or just refers to violence.
The school's role in preventing this type of inappropriate use of the Internet and inappropriate speech is to first to create and enforce strict policies about appropriate conduct while the students are at school and using their systems. The second role is to educate the students about appropriate use and conduct of the Internet when they are not at school. It is the school's role to educate the students in the proper use of the Internet, both in school and out of school, to help them understand the proper use of the Internet. Students need to understand the appropriate use of this resource so that they can exercise their right of free speech but in a way that is appropriate and not harmful to others.Schools need to teach the students the long term effects of the things they post on the Internet and how it will effect them as well as others.
The primary issue that is addressed is the issue of free speech. If students publish inappropriate things on the Internet can something be done without violating the students right to free speech. The chapter talks about U.S. courts ruling that students do have the right to free speech but there are certain limits within they must work. Schools have the right through case law to restrict students speech as long as they are on school grounds. Case law also gives the school the right to restrict students speech if it will disrupt the classroom or invade someone else's rights. They can restrict this speech much easier when the students are on student grounds then when they are off.
As far as on campus use schools can restrict the use of the Internet because they are the ones who pay for and maintain the services. By declaring a limited forum school can place reasonable restrictions on students use of speech on the Internet. This can include obscene, profane, rude and any speech that could cause damage to the school.
Off campus inappropriate use of speech is a little harder for schools to deal with and sometimes they just have to let it go. They have no legal recourse if things were taped off school grounds and posted on line without fear of violating the free speech of the student. The only type of off campus inappropriate speech schools can respond to and not have to fear being sued is if the speech threatens violence or just refers to violence.
The school's role in preventing this type of inappropriate use of the Internet and inappropriate speech is to first to create and enforce strict policies about appropriate conduct while the students are at school and using their systems. The second role is to educate the students about appropriate use and conduct of the Internet when they are not at school. It is the school's role to educate the students in the proper use of the Internet, both in school and out of school, to help them understand the proper use of the Internet. Students need to understand the appropriate use of this resource so that they can exercise their right of free speech but in a way that is appropriate and not harmful to others.Schools need to teach the students the long term effects of the things they post on the Internet and how it will effect them as well as others.
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