Overcoming restrictions of internet acceptable use policies in K-12 schools: supporting educational professionals implementing Web 2.0 tools
Abstract
Web 2.0 tools are increasingly being used by educators as learning tools for their students, yet
some educators are unaware that to do so they must follow their school district Acceptable Use
Policy (AUP) when using these types of online tools with students. The intention of this project
was to help contribute to the understanding of restrictions placed on educators through a school
district’s AUP and to determine strategies that can support them in following acceptable use
policies when implementing Web 2.0 tools into their teaching. To ensure educators have
convenient access to the documents required prior to using Web 2.0 tools with students a website
containing a vetted list of Web 2.0 tools based on School District 79 – Cowichan Valley’s AUP
was created. Clear documentation of the vetting process that was created was posted on the
website. Web 2.0 tool documents were created to be easily shared with teachers, parents and
students to better inform them of the acceptable uses of the specific tool. Feedback provided by
peers in the field of education indicated a high need for such a resource in school districts and
enthusiasm to access such a resource. The website created will need to be maintained in order to promote use among educators in School District 79 and to continue the growing the list of Web 2.0 tools offered on the list of accepted tools.