Let�s Get Rid of Acceptable Use Policies

Note: I ran across this idea sometime in the last two weeks somewhere in my PLN. Unfortunately, I can�t remember where. It might�ve been on Twitter, or in the ADVIS PLP, or on a blog somewhere, but I can�t recall nor can I find a link. So, if someone knows where I stumbled across this, please leave a comment and I�ll update the post.

Most school districts have Acceptable Use Policies (AUP�s), usually for both students and staff. These policies are often a laundry list of things that you can�t do with technology and on the Internet. (So are they really UUP�s � Unacceptable Use Policies?) Instead of having AUP�s, or even UUP�s, I propose we have RUP�s � Responsible Use Policies.

Instead of making a list of all the things you can�t do with technology and on the Internet, what if we made a list of all the things that not only can you do, but you should do? What if students and staff had to sign an agreement that stated these are all the ways that a responsible student or staff member should be using technology and the Internet if they are to be a functional, literate, contributing member of society?

Do you think that might change the conversations we have with students? And with all of our stakeholders?