Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Using Technology Appropriately
Policy, Leadership, and Ethics

Once schools have installed their computers and are ready to start using them they need to establish a policy. This process begins by researching, evaluating, and revising an existing policy and then using the information to write a new policy (Friel, 2001). Once the policy has been written an attorney should read it and make any changes that are necessary, and then the school board will approve the policy, finally the school staff must be updated on the new policy (Friel, 2001).
An important aspect of using computers is the ability to find and use information to promote learning (American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1998). Students need to be taught the correct method of obtaining information. They will not just know how to do it. I teach second grade so; I can not assume they know how to use the computer. I have to model what they are supposed to do before I allow them to do it.
A major issue that is associated with computer use is copyright laws and plagiarism. It is important to assume that all information on the computer is copyrighted (Friel, 2001). The U.S. copyright law allows a fair use provision that allows copyrighted material to be used for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research (Friel, 2001). However in using the fair use provision it important to determine the purpose and character of the use, nature of the copyrighted work, amount of information used and the effect on the work it will have (Friel, 2001). Students also need to be taught to site information. It is important to model this because students will not know how to do it. I know I was always confused in school about citing. I do not think I was taught very well how to do it. If I had I think it would have saved me a lot of stress.
We all know that information found on the internet is not always reliable. It is important for teachers to select appropriate materials for their students in a variety of formats (Friel, 2001). Also students need to be taught how to distinguish between a good and bad internet article. Children often think just because it is in writing and on the internet it is true. Schools often times purchase internet filters to block inappropriate sites (Friel, 2001). However, this can be very expensive. My school does not allow us to get on personal sites including AOL. This is to protect the schools network from viruses. An acceptable use policy is necessary to keep parents, students, teachers, and community on the same page of what is allowed and not allowed on the computer. At the beginning of the school year my students had to read the hand book with their parents and sign and return it in order to be allowed to use the computer. This makes certain that everybody knows what is expected when using the computer. Also, it is important for students to understand that nothing is private on the internet. Teachers and school officials can trace everything (Friel, 2001). Students also need to understand that on-line criminals do exist (Friel, 2001). Parents and students need to talk to their kids about this issue. It is an easy trap that many people get caught in.

American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Information Power: Building partnerships for Learning. Chicago: American Library Association/Washington, D.C.: Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1998.
Friel, L. (2001). Technology in its place: Using technology appropriately, policy, leadership, and ethics. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.