This is a set of general guidelines for the
use of weblogs (“blogs”) in our class. Blogs are considered an extension of the
classroom and therefore are subject to these guidelines as well as the rules
and regulations of Ridge High School. These guidelines are not meant to be
exhaustive and do not cover every contingency. If you are ever in doubt about
the appropriateness of an item - ask a parent or teacher.
Safe and Responsible Blogging
The most basic guideline to remember when
blogging is that the blog is an extension of your classroom. You should not
write anything on a blog that you would not say or write in your classroom. Use
common sense, but if you are ever in doubt ask a teacher or parent whether or
not what you are considering posting is appropriate. If you are going to err,
err on the safe side. Here are some specific items to consider:
1.
The use
of blogs is considered an extension of your classroom. Therefore, any speech
that is considered inappropriate in the classroom is inappropriate on a blog.
This includes, but is not limited to, profanity; racist, sexist or
discriminatory remarks; personal attacks.
2.
Blogs
are used primarily as learning tools, either as extensions of conversations and
thinking outside of regular class time, or as the basis for beginning new
classroom discussions. Either way, be sure to follow all rules and suggestions
that are offered by your teachers regarding appropriate posting in your class.
3.
Blogs
are about ideas – therefore, agree or disagree with the idea, not the person.
Freedom of speech does not give you the right to be uncivil. Use constructive
criticism and use evidence to support your position. Read others’ posts
carefully – often in the heat of the moment you may think that a person is
saying one thing, when really they are not.
4.
Try not
to generalize. Sentences that start with words like “All” (e.g., “All
teachers,” “All administrators,” “All liberals,” “All conservatives”) are
typically going to be too general.
5.
Blogs
are public. Whatever you post on a blog can be read by anyone and everyone on
the Internet. Even if you delete a post or comment, it has often already been
archived elsewhere on the web. Do not post anything that you wouldn’t want your
parents, your best friend, your worst enemy, or a future employer to read.
6.
Blog
safely. NEVER post personal information on the web (including, but not limited
to, last names, personal details including address or phone numbers, or
photographs). (Note: The advice to not use your last name is for your
protection. Teachers may choose to use their last names for their
posts/comments.) Do not, under any circumstances, agree to meet someone you
have met over the Internet.
7.
Because
your login to the blogging site (e.g., Blogger) is typically linked to your
profile, any personal blog you create in class is directly linked to your class
blog and must follow these blogging guidelines. In addition to following the
information above about not sharing too much personal information (in your
profile or in any posts/comments you make), you need to realize that anywhere
you use that login links back to your class blog. Therefore, anywhere
that you use that login (posting to a separate personal blog, commenting on
someone else's blog, etc.), you need to treat the same as a school blog and
follow these guidelines. You should also monitor any comments you receive on
your personal blog and - if they are inappropriate - delete them. If you would
like to post or comment somewhere and not follow these guidelines, you need to
create a separate login to the blogging site so that it does not connect back
to your class blog. You may not use that login from school computers. We
would still recommend you follow the portion of these guidelines that address
your personal safety (e.g., not posting personal information, etc.)
8.
Linking
to web sites from your blog or blog comments in support of your argument is an
excellent idea. But never link to something without reading the entire article
to make sure it is appropriate for a school setting.
9.
Use of
quotations in a blog is acceptable. Make sure that you follow the proper
formatting and cite the source of the quote.
10. Pictures may be inserted into a blog. Make
sure that the image is appropriate for use in a school document and copyright
laws are followed. Do not post any images that can identify yourself or others.
Guidelines borrowed from : http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net/forStudents/AHSBloggingPolicy/tabid/1486/Default.aspx
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