The document outlines a plan for teaching 5th grade students about the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for using the internet in school. The teacher would start by drawing a parallel between following rules at home and following the AUP. Students would then read and discuss the AUP in groups. The lesson aims to ensure students understand the AUP and why certain restrictions are in place, rather than just knowing the rules.

1. Blair Thallmayer
Internet for Educators
27 September 2008
Outlining the Acceptable Use Policy
The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a policy governed by the school board in relation to
how the Internet can and should be used in schools. Though students may have a basic idea of
the principles of proper use, the teacher must make sure that their students are fully aware of the
AUP. Many feel that, beyond instructing students on how to properly use the web, the AUP
protects the school from being held liable if a student happens to access inappropriate material to
which some parents may take offense. To remove this liability, teachers need to show, in the
lesson plan, that the AUP was reviewed in class. Before teaching the acceptable use policy, the
teacher needs to understand it as well.
The first part defines the Internet and outlines what is referred to as “netiquette,” or in
other words, how to be nice and act polite on the web. Next, the AUP explains how or where the
students and teachers can gain access to the Internet. The third part details the responsibilities of
the students while online, including the idea that gaining access is a privilege, not a right. The
fourth part, likely the most important in helping students remember the consequences, discusses
the penalties for poor netiquette or for violating the policy. Lastly, the fifth part looks for the
student, parent, and teacher to sign, proving all parties completely understand.
When thinking of how to teach a younger group of children, as in fifth grade, prior to
middle school, I feel that using a comparison or metaphor would be very helpful to start the
lesson off. Instead of going directly into the AUP, I would ask the class to pretend they are
parents and then put them in a situation wherein they need to explain what would happen if their
children broke the rules. For instance, if they went out to eat with their hypothetical children,
and the children started to act impolite or disrespectful, how would they react? The responses
would likely include various forms of punishment, as the students may call upon similar
experiences of their own.

2. They may fail to grasp this parallel at first, but I would then describe how it relates to
using the Internet in school—acting impolite or disrespectful is not limited to going out to
restaurants. It also refers to surfing the web. The difference would be that this disrespect or lack
of courtesy would stem from accessing inappropriate sites or abusing the privilege as opposed to
yelling or screaming, or anything inappropriate in a public setting. As they begin to grasp how
the situations relate, I would hand out an AUP to each student and ask them to follow along as I
read out loud.
Instead of reading the entire policy to the students I would include them, asking them to
each read a paragraph. This way they would feel involved, and therefore be more likely to
absorb the information. Next, I would explain to the students the difference between having
freedom of speech and having restricted access to the Internet, by discussing the differences
between a privilege and a right. Since the computer is the property of the school, rules must be
followed the same way as anything else at the school, be it the way a student acts in a classroom
or how they act during recess.
When finished, I would briefly recap everything we previously discussed, before
breaking the students into groups and handing each group an assignment sheet. The sheet would
have five questions on it, each referring to information in the acceptable use policy. The goal
here would be that, by the students searching the AUP for answers, they would begin to absorb
and understand the appropriate uses of the Internet usage without feeling they are reading what
could be a boring series of papers. They would likely read passages several times in looking for
the answers. These questions could range from ‘How would you lose access to the Internet?’ to
multiple choice questions about which types of websites students can use.
Lastly, I would explain how the Internet works in that the computer they are using
becomes connected to millions of computers across the world, so while they might not purposely
look for bad websites, these sites do exist, and they need to do their best to avoid them. Just like
in the beginning, when I drew a parallel, I would compare this to driving a car, and how even
though you might be a very good driver, you always must watch other cars to make sure nobody
inadvertently causes damage. Being aware is key in any setting, and this way the students would
absorb the principles of the AUP, but more importantly, understand why they need to be careful,
not just know that they need to be careful or else risk facing consequences.

3. Summary
1. Standard/Outcome: II.A
2. Demonstrate Mastery: (1) Creating an environment that fosters interest and
growth in all aspects of technology (2) Establishing and maintain rapport with
all staff and students (3) Communicating high learning expectations (4)
Creating a safe physical environment that is conducive to learning
3. Artifact Benefit: This document was created in Microsoft Word explore the
information of acceptable policies within a school district for web use. This will
benefit students, parents, and educators if taught the appropriate requirements
and policies before use of the internet.
Reflection
Topic 5 Acceptable Use Policies
AUP is a policy adopted by many schools that governs the use of the internet in the
schools. The teacher is responsible for making sure students are aware of the policy and the
teacher is ultimately responsible for enforcing the policy as well. The task included the parts
of an AUP, and highlight responsibilities in the administration of the policy.
Outline a plan that you would use in your classroom to teach the major points of the
AUP to your students. Be sure to identify the grade level for which you are designing the
lesson. Choose one question that has not been addressed, and answer it in the discussion
board. After, choose two other questions that people have addressed and respond to them.
The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a policy governed by the school board in relation
to how the Internet can and should be used in schools. Though students may have a basic
idea of the principles of proper use, the teacher must make sure that their students are fully
aware of the AUP. Many feel that, beyond instructing students on how to properly use the
web, the AUP protects the school from being held liable if a student happens to access
inappropriate material to which some parents may take offense. To remove this liability,
teachers need to show, in the lesson plan, that the AUP was reviewed in class. Before
teaching the acceptable use policy, the teacher needs to understand it as well.
Becoming familiar with the AUP is another focus that educators should have an
obtained knowledge about. Currently I am not teaching in a classroom; therefore I created an
outline to what I would teach to my students if I were in a class about AUP. Personally, I
always learn better by teaching others, so this task improved my background on AUP as well
as creating an outline on how I would teach others on the topic. When I begin teaching, I will
remember the outline I created, as well as researching and collecting the schools AUP for
future assignments and projects within the school.