Virtual Classroom Technology Rules

ISTE Standards: 1.2b - Online Behavior "Students engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior when using technology, including in social interactions online or when using networked devices." (Iste, 2023)

While the students we teach are digital natives and have the capacity to use technology and the internet in vastly varied and creative ways, they do not always recognize how to use it appropriately in a school setting. School districts and individual schools will have families and students agree to a Responsible Use Policy or an Acceptable Use Policy at the beginning of the year. These policies outline appropriate use, including specifically which behavior is inappropriate, such as cyberbullying and utilizing certain websites on school devices or during school hours (such as social media or gaming sites). Technology provided by the school is often equipped with software that "locks down" certain sites and apps, but students find ways to work around that. It is our responsibility as educators - along with the parents - to ensure that students are aware of what it means to be an active and responsible digital citizen. 

This JIT Lesson is designed to support the development of students into responsible digital citizenship. The mind map above shows specific rules the student must agree to in our online classes, and the presentation below that walks through expectations of behavior in more detail, which includes social media and cyberbullying expectations. The conversation in the lesson surrounds why these expectations and requirements exist and becomes very personal in order to ensure comprehension and appretiation of appropriate behavior by the student. Since the lessons are one-on-one, we can go into depth about what happens when these rules are broken, and ensure agreement at a stronger level. The goal is for the student to absorb the seriousness of appropriate online behavior and instill a dedication to respecting the RUPs and other online users.