This week, I have been introduced to a couple of new concepts.  I have learned about Acceptable Use Policy, Copyright & Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers, and Toondoo.  It has been a wonderful week of learning, and this information will greatly benefit me in the future.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn so much this week!

I have learned much about Acceptable Use Policy, or AUP, lately.  An AUP is a legal document that is signed by teachers, students, and parents of students.  This document contains the terms and conditions of school internet use.  It has the rules that students must follow while using school technology.  It also contains the consequences for failing to comply by the rules.  While there are different purposes for an AUP, one of the main purposes is for the protection of the students.  

Classroom teachers must make an AUP and carefully explain it to their students.  It is important that teachers continue to revise and update their AUP.  This is because technology is constantly changing. AUPs are important because they inform students and parents of the rules of school internet use. They also contain unacceptable uses of the school's network.  For example, students may not bully online or share their password with other students for any reason.  They also cannot alter the hardware or software of any school machine.  Because teachers develop their own AUPs, each one is different. However, there are some guidelines that teachers should follow when developing an AUP.  It is a good idea to have a form that students and parents read and sign.  This shows the teacher that the rules and consequences are understood and agreed upon. 

I will admit that I did not know all of these things until recently.  However, I understand the importance of developing an AUP for the students in my class. 

When it comes to Copyright & Fair Use Guidelines for teachers, there are many rules that I did not know about.  These guidelines deal with what teachers are allowed to do under the law.  They were designed to inform teachers of what they may and may not do legally while preparing for class.  There are guidelines for printed material, illustrations and photographs, videos, music, and others.  For example, any copies of printed material must contain copyright information.  Yikes!  How many times have we made copies of something for students and failed to include copyright information?

I now have a better understanding of how careful teachers must be when it comes to media literacy education.  We must be very cautious of the materials we use in the classroom and the way that we use them. The guidelines are written in a concise, clear manner.  They are very straightforward and easy to understand.  These guidelines must be followed!  We also have the responsibility to teach our students how to legally use media.  They will model what we do in the classroom, and we need to be modeling the correct use of technology and media. 

Finally, I have learned about Toondoo!  Until this past week, I had never heard of Toondoo.  It was so easy to make my free account and start making comics.  This website is very user-friendly, and it took me no time at all to "learn the ropes."  I think that this website will be beneficial in the future.  It is a very fast and simple way to make cartoons.  One feature that I like is how one has the option of choosing from the characters provided or making his/her own character.  This is a nice feature because it is very easy to create the perfect character for the comic!  I also like how one can view others' comics.  There is much that can be learned from reading cartoons!  Toondoo is great for educators as well as children.  As I said before, it is free to make an account, but one also has the option of upgrading to a more advanced account.  

What about you?  Do you have a Toondoo account?  If not, I would recommend making one!  The website is very user-friendly!  You might just become a Toondoo addict!  Go here to set up your free account! 

Lately, I have learned much about online record books.  I was reminded of many of the great tools in Microsoft Excel.  I have used Excel numerous times in the past for various reasons.  However, it was good for me to be reminded of the many helpful aspects of this program.  I learned that Excel could be very frustrating at times.   In spite of the frustrations that may occur, Excel is a helpful program when utilized correctly.  Excel seeks to make life easier for the user.  This can be very convenient, but it can also be an inconvenience, as the program does not always know what the user is intending to say.  One aspect I find to be quite useful is the fact that formulas can be inserted into the cells.  This makes it much easier for teachers.  I have been refreshed being reminded of all of the great aspects of Microsoft Excel.  I have also learned some of the advantages and disadvantages to online record books. 

One of the advantages to an online grade book and attendance sheet over a book is that it is much cleaner and more professional looking.  It is much easier to make changes and it does not look messy like it might in a hardcopy grade book.  For example, if a student comes in late, the “absent” can quickly be changed to “present” or “tardy.”  Another advantage is that online record books can be accessed anywhere.  This makes it much easier for teachers because they do not have to worry about accidentally forgetting their book at home or school.  It is also much harder to lose when it is online.  These are just a few of the advantages of online record books.

Although there are many advantages to online record books, there are also disadvantages as well.  It is very important to save grade books and attendance sheets in at least two different places on the computer.  Teachers should make sure they have a back up just in case the computer crashes and everything is lost.  I am sure that there is not one student who would be fine with his/her teacher losing all of the grades from the entire year.  This is why it is crucial that grades are saved in at least two different spots.  Another disadvantage is that some teachers might not have or want a computer.  Even though I understand some of the disadvantages to online grade books, I think that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.  It seems as if online grade books are the simplest and most professional way to keep up with students’ grades and attendance.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be reminded of some of the many helpful tools in Excel.  

What about you?  Do you prefer online record books or hard copy record books? 

Click here to see my finished Online Record Book!