Update your Acceptable Use Policy

Some schools are still regulating the Internet with rules written before their current students were enrolled. Looking at a model policy (WWCC 2004), I was struck by how the drivers of Acceptable Use Policies in 2002, have changed.

Equity

Since 2002, portable computer prices have fallen 75% (from $2000 to $500) while download prices have dropped 99% (from 12 cents to 0.1 cents per MB), and email accounts (once $30 pa) are now free. Rules purporting to ensure equitable sharing of once-scarce resources can look petty or inexplicable.

Safety

As we become more accustomed to worldwide forums, irrational fears about contact are allayed. Rules based on fear of strangers can now look unreasonable or unfathomable.

Collaboration

21st Century Schooling principles now promote collaborative learning, where many schools previously strove to prevent it.

Productivity

Old study advice promoted a separation of study from recreational time which can no longer be justified as typical of post-schooling knowledge work or study.

Legality

The (Cwth) Copyright Act was amended in 2006, and (state) Privacy Acts were passed around the same time. Although the new laws were intended to educate the public and reflect a better balance of rights, use of technology such as iPods and YouTube and Facebook has grown in apparent disregard of the law.

Conclusion

If your Acceptable Use Policy is prescriptive and is a few years old, it has probably become inconsistent with your values.

Coming soon … AUP changes that make sense.

References

1. Wagga Wagga Christian College 2002. User Agreement and Parent Permission Form. Reproduced at http://203.14.38.46/resources/literacy/RST00000194.doc [Accessed 17/05/2010]