Sep 13 2009
Digital Ethics
Now that almost all of you have posted something here, I thought it was time to reconsider “digital ethics.” This is really an extension of our original discussion of the AUP (acceptable use policy). I think a tech-mentor of mine, Darren Kuropatwa, put it best on one of his class blogs:
“Blogging is a very public activity. Anything that gets posted on the internet stays there. Forever. Deleting a post simply removes it from the blog it was posted to. Copies of the post may exist scattered all over the internet. I have come across posts from my students on blogs as far away as Sweden! …We do not use pictures of ourselves. If you really want a graphic image associated with your posting use an avatar — a picture of something that represents you but IS NOT of you.”
This is a VERY public undertaking. Have you clicked on the ClustrMap yet? Look at how many folks have viewed our blog (and from where) in just four weeks! Here is a short video that illustrates some of what I want you to think about:
*Note: Filter at school will not play YouTube videos, so you have to watch it at home.
Many teachers around the world are starting to work with their classes to come up with guidelines for student bloggers. One of them, Bud Hunt, has these suggestions, which I think are good for us:
1. Students using blogs are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, school name, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences.
2. Students using blogs agree not to share their user name or password with anyone besides their teachers and parents. You agree to never log in as another student.
3. Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.
4. Student blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will sometimes be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. Students are welcome to post on any school-appropriate subject.
5. Students blogs are to be a vehicle for sharing student writing with real audiences. Most visitors to your blog who leave comments will leave respectful, helpful messages. If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away. Do not respond to the comment.
6. Students using blogs take good care of the computers by not downloading or installing any software without permission, and not clicking on ads or competitions.
I would also add–never link to anything you have not read! What are your thoughts on all this? Should we expand our class AUP? -Mr. W
