Online Assignment Guidelines

Introduction

           Web 2.0 applications are great 21^st century tools to engage students in reading, writing, and content-specific subjects.  Here are a few suggestions for using web 2.0 tools in a safe, appropriate, and ethical way. 

       The message to share with your students is:

Internet space = classroom space

          Classroom rules apply to classroom 'virtual' space even if students are working on projects outside the bricks and mortar building. 

AUP Policy

 Click here for the Barre Supervisory Union’s current AUP Policy.  Review the policy with students and verify that a signed contract is on file for your students.

Creating and Using Accounts Online 

•   Send a letter home to parents/guardians requesting permission for students to participate in an online assignment by creating an account.  Click here for a sample letter.

•  Discuss with students the importance of using a non-identifying 'pen name' and/or email address. Avoid using identifying information like SHS or jersey numbers or Barre, or Crimson Tide, or names like ‘soccerchick.'  

   

•  Consider using web 2.0 applications which allow student accounts  without requiring email addresses. Some applications allow logins with 'fake' email addresses.

   

•  Review ‘netiquette’ rules with students.  Click here for a copy.

•  Remind students they are responsible for remembering their passwords and shouldn't share them with anyone else.

   

 Digital Equity

•  While designing assignments and creating due dates, consider that there are still many students who don't have broadband access at home.

   

•  Allow enough class time for students to be able to complete online assignments and schedule more computer time than you think you'll need.

   

   

•   Remind students SHS library computers are available from 7 AM – 3:30 PM.  The Aldrich Public Library is also a great resource with evening and weekend hours.

•   Anticipate that some parents might not allow students to create online accounts and have an alternative assignment ready for them.

Copyright, Citing Sources, and Ethical Use

•   Have a discussion about who will be able to view student online assignments. Will it be other students, teachers, administration, parents, or the world?

   

•  Modeling ethical use of creative work is a powerful way to teach ethical use.  In your teaching materials, cite the work of others.   On your blog, wiki, or website, a simple solution is to link (vs. upload) to an author's site.  Modeling and teaching ethical use meets both NETS-T and NETS-S standards.

   

•   If you modify internet content for use in your own classroom, then include a statement like ‘based on,' 'adapted from,' or ‘modified with permission.'  A quick email to the author usually results in a response like, "absolutely, thanks for asking."

   

•  Need photos to dress up a blog entry?  Encourage students to take their own.  They can create their own artwork, scan it, and upload it.  To locate copyright-free images or sounds for projects, click here.  

   

• Consider including a category in your assignment rubric on ‘ethical use’ or attribution so students learn that ethical use is important.