EdTec448 - Policy Brief: Privacy and Security

Policy Brief:

Privacy and Security

Definitions:
(from http://www.merriam-webster.com/)

Privacy -- freedom from unauthorized intrusion

Security -- a: freedom from danger; b: freedom from fear or anxiety

Issue Overview:

The Internet is a valuable resource for faculty, staff, and students. However, not everything found on the www is safe or appropriate for a school environment. in order to combat this problem, the FASD is currently using the FreeGaurd Internet filtering system. This system is used to block sites that are deemed inappropriate. While the filtering system is certainly beneficial, it is not fool-proof and students often use the Internet outside of school where no filtering system is available to protect them from unsafe sites. In order to keep our students safe while they are online both at school and at home, it is important that the students know the rules of on line safety.

Recommendations:

1. Implement an ongoing faculty/staff training program. This program could be implemented by simply discussing Internet safety. This could be done during faculty meetings, departmental meetings, in-service days, or through an on-line class.

Pros:

• Faculty and staff will be aware of effective strategies for for keeping students safe online.

• Quality of safety information presented to students will increase.

• Students will learn effective strategies for evaluating safety of site and people encountered online.

Cons:

• Increasing faculty and staff skill and knowledge about Internet safety will require time and money.

2. Include Internet safety in the curriculum. This addition to the curriculum could easily be incorporated into a technology class, an English class, a Social Studies class, or any class that is research and writing intensive. Ideally, the issue will be addressed in all classes.

Pros:

• Students will learn to differentiate between "safe" and "unsafe" sites, places, and people online.
• Students will learn rules of Internet safety.

• Students will be prepared for the 21st Century work force and higher education.

Cons:

• Adding to the curriculum will require time and cooperation across the curriculum.

3. Increase accessibility to Internet safety resources. Place links on the school website for teachers and students to use as reference when evaluating sources.

Pros:

• The resources would be easily accessible and readily available.

• Easily accessible resources would increase both student and teacher awareness of Internet safety protocol.

Cons:

• Posting the resources online will require time and money.

Resources:

A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety. Retrieved July 23, 2008 from Federal Bureau of Investigation. website: http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

Internet Safety. Retrieved July 23, 2008 from Adventures of Cyber Bee. website: http://www.cyberbee.com/safety.html

Willard, Nancy. Stop the Internet Fear Mongering. Retrieved July 23, 2008 from Connect Safely. website: http://www.connectsafely.org/articles--advice/commentaries---guest/stop-the-internet-fear-mongering.html

Wired Safety. Retrieved July 23, 2008 from Wired safety. website: http://www.wiredsafety.org/information/overview.html