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Overview

It is a main strategy of HCT to uphold a technologically-rich environment that improves the


educational experience, technological opportunities and internet services for students and
teachers alike. This document is aimed to provide students and staff with instruction on the
appropriate and usage of social media that keeps them out of harm’s way, within the HCT
community.

HCT believes, with confidence, that the use of electronics for communication and being on the
internet should support educational purposes, and recognizes that since technology is
essential to the educational experiences of all students, certain vulnerabilities are expected to
rise in terms of safety and security. The policy is therefore put forward to help students and
teachers practice using technology within safety and legal boundaries.

It is important that, in addition to adhering to this policy, students and teachers read through
the FAQ document before creating any social media accounts to be used in HCT.

Important Definitions and Educational Uses of the Internet

The college uses educational technology in many different ways. Click on this link to access the
Educational Technology @ HCT webpage.

Educational technology enables interactive and collaborative learning to take place. It allows
students to showcase their full potential as digital natives, and their abilities to use mobile
technology. The tools that come under the title educational technology include: computers,
the Internet, radio and telephone (wikibooks, 2017) and any other technology tool that
students access for their education. The connection of these devices as well as the way these
devices are used to connect students to the world all come under the definition of social media.
And therefore our teaching strategies need to focus on using social media as a tool to support
our teaching (Lockyer, 2013) To effectively use the internet and social media for education and
learning, we need to know the meaning of certain terms that appear in policies that allow for
easy accessibility, safe working environment, proper use of devices, and proper application of
social media in education.

Some examples:

 the term netiquette (aka network and email etiquette). This is defined as “a set of rules
or manners for online behavior” (Wentzell).
 The term ‘appropriate language’ would mean ‘polite’ and ‘respectful’ language, etc;
 the term emoticons means emotional icons aka “smileys,” (Wentzell)
 the term inappropriate content might include bullying, violence, and anything
offensive to UAE culture

Social Media Authorization

Social media allows for collaborative learning, in which students work together to reach a
conclusion, make meaning, etc. (Lockyer, 2013) for AUP purposes, collaboration extends to
educators, parents as well as students using the internet. These learning experiences in which
students work together also includes outside factors, and therefore educators and parents also
play a role in enriching students’ knowledge via social media.

For the safe and responsible use of social media, educators and parents need to keep track of
certain aspects of the use of technology, including frequency of access (mentioned in the
Instagram AUP below), where students go to explore topics, what responsibilities they have in
terms of internet safety, and how these ‘rules’ become a part of their common sense and
digital citizenship.

This article on how kids become responsible digital citizens clearly outlines how Acceptable
Use Policies can be supported with digital citizenship practices, which include taking care of
technology resources and equipment, empowering students to safely explore sites using
common sense (I use the traffic lights method: green light if you are sure the site is safe and
educational then go ahead, yellow light if you are unsure if the site is safe suspicious that it
might not be appropriate then ask a teacher or parent, red light is if your absolutely certain this
site in inappropriate (trust your gut) and stop). It explores topics from copyright laws to
cyberbullying, as well as netiquette and becoming ‘tech smart’.

General Use of Social Media

1. Students and Staff can be held liable for violations of copyrighted material.

2. It is unacceptable to make copies or download copyrighted material, including


software, music, or images.

3. Teachers are responsible for monitoring student social media use.

4. Students are responsible for obtaining permission to use any copyrighted material in
their college work.

5. Students and teachers are not permitted to post personal material and content to
company social media.

Students and teachers are expected to follow the set of rules, standards and behaviors outlines
in the Student Handbook, particularly with regards to social media use on campus. The student
handbook/code of conduct must be read carefully.
In the social media AUP, these following expectations would be outlined:

1. Students must adhere to proper social media etiquette (or netiquette) including but
not limited to:
a. Using polite language when online (as mentioned in the Instagram AUP below)
b. Proper online behavior and formal methods of dealing with online harassments
(as mentioned in the Instagram AUP example provided below)
c. Keeping within socially acceptable behavior as deemed in the UAE society and
culture
2. Students would need to keep within security standards as assigned by teachers
(user names as initials, strong passwords, etc.)
3. Tone:
a. Use lowercase letters and capitals only when applies – capitals only implies
screaming
b. Use emoticons when expressing a thought in a tone that might be
misinterpreted (e.g. joking, etc.)
Acceptable Use Policy—Privacy

Here are some rules to be posted on the Privacy segment of the Social Media Acceptable Use
Policy

• Do not ‘stalk’ or use this account to invade others’ privacy

• Do not give out personal or confidential information about yourself or others (unless
you have received appropriate permission and in this case it is better to practice caution)

• Post only what others are allowed to read – private thoughts should not be posted
online

• Refer to adults/teachers whenever you feel unsure (refer to the stop light method:
green: go for a good website, yellow: warning, refer to an adult; red: stop, don’t go, get out of
that website)

• Don’t open or respond to content sent from people you don’t know or outside the
educational circle (e.g. you might not know ADEK but you could accept content from their
formal website)

Inappropriate Content Policy

The student Code of Conduct outlines specific consequences for certain violations of rules.
These violations are outlined in the student handbook and the consequence level fits the
action. In the Instagram AUP that I attached, it is mentioned how the student who caused
offence will lose certain rights if misconduct takes place, however some actions are so severe
that they might require organizational interference, at the discretion of the teacher (e.g.
problems with legal implications vs. problems with ethical implications). Serious violations of
the Acceptable Use Policy result in serious consequences, but violating the teacher-made
Instagram AUP can be concisely solved by a specific consequence for particular minimally
harmful behaviors.
Therefore, AUP guidelines would include the following statements:

 Students may not include inappropriate content in their use of social media
 Students may not access inappropriate content using their college social media
accounts
 Students must employ good judgment and pay special attention when deciding
appropriate content for their projects

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of the Internet

Students should receive clear examples of what is acceptable or unacceptable use of social
media. The AUP is the perfect way to guide them. In the use of social media section, the
following examples should be included:

 You may only browse through educational related websites. Other sites open you up to
questioning and you are held reliable if the teacher finds that you have wandered into
unsuitable or unrelated sites.
 You have to deal with your social media account in a safe and proper manner. This
means not excessive or inappropriate use, accessing educational site and publicly
available sites.
 You may not record or post recordings of others or yourself as it violates privacy laws.

Similar warnings are mentioned in the college social media use guidelines attached below.

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