As with all freedoms, these opportunities bring both educational benefits and responsibilities. They also provide legal guidance and protection for school faculty and administrators. In many ways, acceptable use policies are like field trip permission forms.
Teachers consult parents and collect signatures before children leave the school grounds.
Acceptable use policies are signed by parents as well as students and a school representative. For more information about acceptable use policies, see the sidebar below. Schools and districts are discovering the need for professional development and shared decision-making. Faculty and staff need time to explore the Internet, determine how it can be used for instruction, and discuss ways of preventing and responding to inappropriate student use. These discussions can also inform development of school and district acceptable use policies and let teachers know that their opinions are heard and valued.