Archives: netiquette or law

Check out the powerful new professional materials posted by the Center for Social Media at American University. The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education is available for download in .pdf format, and there is a video introduction to understanding fair use in today’s media-rich environment that will clarify misconceptions and reassure teachers about their rights (and their students’ rights) to employ all sorts of media in classroom teaching.

http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/code_for_media_literacy_education/

Thanks to Gerry Solomon, Media Specialist to North Carolina, for bringing this to our attention.

This was a letter to the editor we submitted to the News & Observer a couple weeks ago in response to an article about a parent who objected to her kid using the internet in class. The letter didn’t get picked up, but I think it’s important for staff to remember that while what we do seems obviously beneficial to us, there are still a lot of people who aren’t very keen on using the interweb in schools.

The letter:

Regarding the article, “Parents, schools at odds over Internet,” I certainly respect parents’ rights to decide what’s best for their children. However, making blanket objections to Internet use in today’s classroom is equal to objecting to textbooks.

Part of a teacher’s job is finding the best means of achieving instructional goals, whether that entails using a website or a chalk board. Teachers don’t choose online tools merely because they can, but because the information and the manner of presentation offer something uniquely valuable. Online applications such as Google Docs, NC WiseOwl, and Web-based educational resources from NASA offer levels of content, collaboration, and accessibility that simply cannot be replicated offline.

Further, the ability to use online technology is a vital skill in and of itself. Yes, you can find inappropriate material on the Web. But rather than hide the Internet from children, teachers must instruct students how to use it safely. Information literacy — the ability to find the good info and discard the bad — is a critical 21st Century skill. Shielding children may protect them in the short term, but it robs them of the ability to make intelligent informational decisions in the long run.

Melissa Thibault
Executive Director
LEARN NC

As a state employee we are accountable to all the citizens of North Carolina. This idea becomes reality in public record law. “Public records shall mean all documents… regardless of physical form…, made or received in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government….” — in other words, most of what you write must be made available to any NC citizen upon request… it is a matter of public record.

So what does that mean to you? It means that you should always conduct business professionally and with careful consideration. Use discretion in all written communications including email. Legal counsel for the University puts it this way… “Imagine the News and Observer is cced on everything you write.”

Words to live by…

Some important links:

UNC Provost’s Office Policies, Guidelines, Procedures and Reports http://provost.unc.edu/policies

UNC Campus Policies and Procedures http://www.unc.edu/campus/policies.html

North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132: Public Records: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/Statutes/StatutesTOC.pl?Chapter=0132

North Carolina Open Government: Public Records Law http://www.ncopengov.org/publicrecordslaw.html

Guidelines for Public Records from the NC Government Records branch of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/records/guidelines.htm