Have you noticed how often acronyms are used in education? It’s a language all its own and it can cause confusion or make someone who doesn’t know the "code" feel left out. For this post, I want to offer an explanation on two of these as they relate to technology.
The two alphabet soup items I want to discuss are the RUP and AUP. RUP stands for Responsible Use Policy and it is an upgraded thinking from the older philosophy of AUP or Acceptable Use Policy. Both of these policies are about computer and technology use such as how computers are handled, how the Internet is used and how a person behaves online. The RUP serves as the document that guides these technology practices.
The AUP was written in what is referred to as negative language. It would make statements such as “don’t do this or you will lose access” for example. It was long and wordy and tried to cover every possible issue that might arise and address it in advance. The RUP is written in more positive language discussing what the expected behaviors are to be when using various forms of technology. Check out the Kearsarge RUP here.
The Kearsarge RUP expects that each teacher will have ongoing conversations and instructions on how to be a responsible user of technology. Our policy even has a “call to action” charge because we believe our students should be creators of valuable content and not just consumers.
We believe that the RUP serves as a guide for moral character development for the digital realm but is grounded in common sense training such as “what is the impact to others” by your actions. We expect students to push the boundaries and to make mistakes. The RUP allows for education to be the first line of discussion instead of consequences being the first option for infractions. We do have consequences for infractions, however, as sometimes it is warranted.
Parents sign the RUP once during the elementary school timeframe and once during the MS/HS timeframe. Students no longer sign the actual policy but are involved in annual contracts with their teachers. These contracts are written in a grade-appropriate language and allow for the ongoing discussion and education that signing the policy one time did not afford.
In the hopes of initiating dialogue, I am asking that you read the RUP. Then I am asking that you use the comments box below to ask questions about it or share your strategies on how you handle the moral character development regarding digital etiquette in your home. Parents and guardians often feel isolated when trying to manage technology access outside of school. This blog was created for this very reason. This is the symbiotic relationship that we hope to foster between home and school.
I am looking forward to engaging in a conversation about this very important topic that will be at the forefront for our students as they move forward in life. They will need to have the self-discipline to stay off social media at work, to not have a negative digital footprint if their name is searched online by a college or a future boss, and to keep a healthy self-esteem by not getting their identity from likes and follows. The RUP is a guide for this important work.
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