Recap: An Acceptable Use Policy(AUP) accompanies any software the user purchases/downloads. It is a cyber contract that lays out what expectations the company and network expect from the user when running the software. By selecting the “I Agree to these Terms of Use” icon, we are usually pledging not to abuse the powers of the software program. For example, part of iTunes’ AUP is pledging not to download music without paying its parent company (usually iTunes).
In my former school, The American School of Bombay, our AUP was similar to that of Google's Gmail and Microsoft's Hotmail. It included forbidding the transition of virus in email attachments or using the email account of another student/faculty. However it was different in that the language of the Subject line was filtered and we were supposed to write emails for academic purposes only. I recall frequently using other students and faculty's email accounts from their computers when they were engaged in work. I would also estimate that 50% of email traffic on our school network was not academic related. My friends and I would schedule soccer games with our school emails and share funny pictures and videos. In short, we committed minor violations of our school's AUP. Besides that Microsoft Outlook Network, there was a network that we could receive instructions from our teachers and turn in assignments called "The Portal." Our parents did not have access to this network either. It is similar to TLEARN, but much more helpful because it was easier to navigate, more centralized to the task at hand, less cluttered and easier to navigate. I still prefer printing out work and "handing it in," a term I fear will not survive to the 23rd Century.
The URL of the American School of Bombay is
In Other News:
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires that public schools and libraries carry filtering software that blocks harmful and obscene websites on their computers. I agree with this because schools and libraries are public institutions paid for by the general public. CIPA preserves their virtuous foundations for all who come to gain knowledge on whatever subject they please.
I think it's interesting that you weren't allowed to use your school email for anything other than academic activities. Most of the time, I used mine for emailing my friends when I got bored in history class. It just seems odd that your school would feel the need to specifically prohibit simple conversations between friends.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I rebel at heart! I love the fact that you committed minor violations, because I personally believe that if a school is going to set up an account and email for everyone, they have to realize that not every child follows the rules. By the looks of it, about 50% follow the rules of your old school. I completely agree about the fact the "handing things in" will not survive until the 23rd century, unless something devastating happens to technology in the meantime. I frequently turn things in online or through TLearn/blackboard. It's just the way to do things these days!
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