jlearn2.0

Once again, the Jewish Week looks at issues related to teens and social networking. The article, “Virtual Values, Real Victims” by Liel Leibovitz, is featured on the front page of the Jewish Week, April 20, 2007 and focuses on ways students and administrators are addressing anti-social uses of social networking. The article highlights different models of handling this important topic, including legislation against cyberbullying, banning the use of social networking, student education, and parental awareness.

The article cites Ira Miller, dean of Ramaz Upper School, who advocates framing the issue as one of Jewish values and ethics, safety education, and life skills for the 21st century:

“It’s foolish to try and legislate our students’ use of technology…. All of these programs are part of their environment, and we have to train them and give them the ethical sensitivity on how best to use technology, the same way we’ll try to teach them sensitivity about lashon hara [gossip or harmful speech].”

Cyberbullying is a very real and serious issue and has been a recent topic of discussion in the blogosphere lately. Resources for students, educators and parents include the following:

Cyberbully and its affiliated site, the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use – publications, reports, and other resources that address issues of the safe and responsible use of the Internet.
Cyberbullying and Internet Safety – Wesley Fryer’s wiki of resources including a podcast, articles, and other resources. See also “Ideas for Addressing Cyberbullying,” Wesley Fryer’s podcast from his Speed of Creativity blog.
National Crime Prevention Council – resources and tips regarding Internet safety and dealing with cyberbullying.
Stop Cyberbullying - social network devoted to identifying resources and solutions to combat cyberbullying.
WiredSafety.org - resources for victims of online abuse, education and awareness regarding online safety and responsibility. See especially the StopCyberbullying site.

Also revisit the resources listed under the jlearn2.0 posting, Derech Eretz – Acceptable Use Policies

The Ad Council produced public service announcements regarding cyberbullying. The ads target 12 and 13 year olds (“tweens”) and are available from their site and on YouTube:

Cyberbullying – Talent Show

Cyberbullying – Kitchen

The “cyberbullying hurts” graphic at the top of this post is attributed to Scott McLeod; see his site for other related images that can be used to highlight this issue.

Does your school or institution have an acceptable use policy for learners and staff?

What makes for robust AUPs, particularly for use in Jewish educational settings? How can we develop good digital citizenship that reflects the ethical values of derech eretz, and educates about user safety and the responsible use of information?

Acceptable use policies tend to include the following components:

• a description of the instructional philosophies and strategies to be supported by Internet access in schools
• a statement on the educational uses and advantages of the Internet in your school or division
• a list of the responsibilities of educators, parents, and students for using the Internet
• a code of conduct governing behavior on the Internet
• a description of the consequences of violating the AUP
• a description of what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable use of the Internet
• a disclaimer absolving the school division, under specific circumstances, from responsibility
• a statement reminding users that Internet access and the use of computer networks is a privilege
• a statement that the AUP is in compliance with state and national telecommunication rules and regulations
• a statement regarding the need to maintain personal safety and privacy while accessing the Internet
• a statement regarding the need to comply with Fair Use Laws and other copyright regulations while accessing the Internet
• a signature form for teachers, parents, and students indicating their intent to abide by the AUPSource: “Acceptable Use Policies: A Handbook” published by the Virginia Department of Education.

Schools often work with their constituents, including staff, parents, and students, to compose AUPs together, and have attorneys review them to determine legal issues. The AUPs provide meaningful guidelines for the responsible and appropriate use of computers and the Internet among the school community. Some schools require students to participate in a series of workshops on Internet safety, digital citizenship, appropriate behaviors, and issues related to cyberbullying.

Examples of acceptable use policies and codes of conduct for technology in Jewish day schools include those of Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School and Gann Academy. The Perelman Jewish Day School frames its AUP explicitly within the context of derech eretz, responsibility to the community and respectful treatment of every person. Congregational schools and other learning environments that use technology should also institute AUPs.

David Warlick notes that many older AUPs have not been updated to reflect the integration of Web 2.0 tools. Warlick suggests in his December 2006 EDTECH article, Blog Rules, that AUPs include “a list of goals for blogging, classroom Web sites, e-mail and other ICT applications.”

Creating safe environments and enforcing AUPs are only part of the equation. In her article, “Monitoring Student Internet Use: It’s More Than Filtering,” Susan Brooks-Young recommends the following types of proactive supervision (see the article for a more in-depth discussion):

1. Know and follow the provisions of the acceptable use policy.
2. Model acceptable use and adherence to copyright policies.
3. Teach specific lessons about Internet safety skills, and clarify the AUP and copyright policy.
4. Provide opportunities for students to find solutions for handling uncomfortable situations.
5. Arrange computers and peripherals for easy monitoring.
6. Use a website evaluation tool when selecting sites for classroom use.
7. Complete all online activities yourself before using them with students.
8. Use online planning tools to create Internet-based lessons.
9. Set up “dummy” e-mail addresses for sites that require registration.
10. Be visible.

Resources for learning more:

Bud the Teacher’s Wiki (www.budtheteacher.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page)
GetNetWise (http://getnetwise.com)
k12wiki Social Networking Acceptable Use (http://k12wiki.wikispaces.com/Social+Networking+Acceptable+Use)
Netsmartz (www.netsmartz.org)
Safe Digital Social Networking (http://teachdigital.pbwiki.com/safedsn)
Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse (http://safewiredschools.cosn.org)
Safekids.com (www.safekids.com)
Safeteens.com (www.safeteens.com)
StaySafe.org (www.staysafeonline.com)
WiredSafety (www.wiredsafety.org)