• Guidelines for Internet safety
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Collaborating outside of the classroom
• Netiquette
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

One of the most exciting educational aspects of using the Internet lies in its ability to open the classroom to the world. Learning about different countries and cultures becomes even more meaningful when students can easily communicate with people internationally. Communication via the Internet can occur in many different ways including email and chat rooms. Although the diverse nature of topics available on the Internet can enhance the learning experience, students need to be aware of safety issues when interacting with others online.

This chapter discusses the social nature of the Internet, focusing on topics such as Internet etiquette, confidentiality, and safety. It is important for students and teachers to be informed of these issues when using the Internet for telecommunications.

Guidelines for Internet safety

Although a valuable instructional tool in the classroom, the Internet does comes with some real dangers. Keeping in mind a few simple precautions will help protect students from potential dangers. It is important to supervise the students as they begin their journey on the Internet. One way to facilitate the students in their learning process is to provide safe and valuable sites. Emphasize to students that information on the Internet is posted by both reliable and unreliable sources.

Safety Tips for kids on the Internet

• Never give your name, address, phone number, photo, or password to someone you meet over the Internet.
• Never respond to email messages that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable.
• Report any email that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Be careful when someone offers you something for nothing.
• Tell your teacher or parent right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you meet on the Internet.
• Remember that people online may not be who they seem.
• Get to know your "online friends" just as you get to know all of your other friends.

Information provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acceptable Use Policy

It is important to develop a clear set of standards and expectations for use of the Internet in the classroom. You should first check with your district or school to see if there is an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) already in place. If an AUP is not in place, then you should develop one in collaboration with students, other faculty, parents, and administrators. An AUP makes the school community aware of the responsibilities involved in using the Internet.

The National Education Association (NEA) suggests that an effective AUP contain the following six elements:

• Preamble explains the process involved in determining the goals of the AUP.
• Definition of the Goals of the AUP and key words used in the AUP.
• Policy Statement tells what computer services are covered by the AUP and the circumstances under which students can use computer services.
• Acceptable Uses defines appropriate student use of the computer network.
• Unacceptable Uses gives clear and specific examples of what constitutes unacceptable student use.
• Violations/Sanctions establishes procedures for the reporting and handling of policy violations.

Collaborating outside of the classroom

Internet learning communities are designed to facilitate conversations in multiple directions. Through email, videoconferencing, and chat room conversations, students connect and communicate with multiple audiences. Students now have the opportunity to reach fellow students and mentors throughout the world. Collaboration with fellow students, faculty, and experts of all nations can become an everyday experience.

Introduction to email
One form of communication beyond the classroom is electronic messages. These messages can be sent from computers that are connected to the Internet. These electronic mail messages are known as email. Email messages can be addressed to an individual, a group, or an entire organization.

An email address is comprised of two parts. The first part is the unique username of a person. This is the part of the address on the left hand side of the @ (at) symbol. The second part of the address is on the right hand side. This tells the address of the system that is responsible for that individual's email. It can be seen as:
mail_user@particular-system.edu

Email plays an important role as a vehicle of communication with cultures and communities. Students can communicate instantly through email and receive prompt feedback on how well their messages are understood. They need not wait for a penpal's letter to cross an ocean or for the potential visit of an international student to their classroom. The content of an email is usually text, but can also include images, audio, video, and program files as attachments.

Video conferencing
Another form of communication on the Internet is video conferencing. This form of communication enables you to view, talk, and chat live with new friends from around the world. Initially, video conferencing involved communication between only two computer users, but there are now programs available that allow you to connect multiple participants.

Video conferencing is a very attractive form of communication. However, in a school district it can be very difficult to use because it requires high bandwidth to be effective. Bandwidth is the rate the data is transferred over a connection. Although low bandwidth connections will often result in a less satisfactory experience, they still can be used productively in a classroom.

Chat groups
Chat groups are a more dynamic form of communication than email. Persons involved in a chat group can simultaneously participate in a discussion over a particular "channel," or even multiple channels. To participate in a chat group, you simply log into the chat room, then begin conversing by typing messages that can be seen by other users. The main advantage of a chat group is that it takes place in real time, requiring active participation. Although chat rooms can offer tremendous opportunities for a classroom, they must be closely monitored.

Netiquette

As the Internet includes a global community, students need to be aware of behavioral standards. Proper Internet etiquette is often referred to as Netiquette. Students and teachers can avoid embarrassing situations by adhering to some simple guidelines for electronic communication. The following is a list of standards for Netiquette:

• Always identify yourself and keep your messages brief and to the point.
• Avoid "flaming" (inflammatory or antagonistic criticism) or sending insulting, abusive, or threatening remarks. There is no "unsend" option in email.
• Avoid using all capital letters in a message. This is perceived as SHOUTING and may cause hard feelings.
• Do not assume that your intentions will be understood; remember there is no body language, facial expression, or tone to indicate your intentions.
• You may wish to use "emoticons" to help get your point across:

:-)	Happy
:-(	Sad
;-)	Winking
:-o	Surprised
:-@	Screaming
:-I	Indifferent
:-e	Disappointed
:-<	Mad
:-D	Laughing

• Remember that email is not necessarily private. Your messages can be forwarded to many people without your knowledge. Before sending a message, read it over, double check the recipient(s) and make sure it would not become an embarrassment if it were forwarded to others not on your recipient list.
• Do not spam others. Spam is the practice of sending unsolicited email messages in bulk or overloading someone's mailbox or server with messages.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

In October 1998, Congress passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), with the requirement that the Federal Trade Commission address and enforce rules concerning children's online privacy. The law went into effect on April 21, 2000. For more information, visit COPPA.

Below are some of the provisions of COPPA:

• Personal information cannot be collected on the Web from children under age 13 without permission from a parent or legal guardian.
• Parents have the right to know what personal information their children are being asked for and how it is to be used.
• Permission from parents and guardians, in most instances, must be verifiable.
• Children cannot be required to give out more information then is reasonably necessary to participate in web site activities such as games and contests.
• Web sites and online services must prominently post a clear privacy policy.

|| Contents || Internet Basics || Becoming Good Netizens || Productivity Tools ||
|| Communication Tools || Research Tools || Problem-Solving Tools || Appendices ||

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