Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, Digital Images & Video

Personal Responsibility

• X School District employees are personally responsible for the content they publish online. Be mindful that what you publish will be public for a long time—protect your privacy.
• Your online behavior should reflect the same standards of honesty, respect, and consideration that you use face-to-face.
• When posting to your blog be sure you say that the information is representative of your views and opinions and not necessarily the views and opinions of X School District.  See Blogging Rules.
• Remember that blogs, wikis and podcasts are an extension of your classroom.  What is inapporpriate in your classroom should be deemed inappropriate online.
• The lines between public and private, personal and professional are blurred in the digital world. By virtue of identifying yourself as an X School District employee online, you are now connected to colleagues, students, parents and the school community. You should ensure that content associated with you is consistent with your work at X School District
• When contributing online do not post confidential student information.

Disclaimers

• X School District employees must include disclaimers within their personal blogs that the views are their own and do not reflect on their employer.  For example, "The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent X School District's positions, strategies, or opinions." 
• This standard disclaimer does not by itself exempt X School District employees from a special responsibility when blogging.
• Classroom blogs do not require a disclaimer, but teachers are encouraged to moderate content contributed by students.

Copyright and Fair Use

• Respect copyright and fair use guidelines.  See U.S. Copyright Office - Fair Use.
• Hyperlinking to outside sources is recommended.  Be sure not to plagiarize and give credit where it is due.  When hyperlinking be sure that the content is appropriate.
• It is recommended that blogs be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Profiles and Identity

• Remember your association and responsibility with the X School District in online social environments. If you identify yourself as an X District employee, ensure your profile and related content is consistent with how you wish to present yourself with colleagues, parents, and students.  Remember how you represent yourself online should be comparable to how you represent yourself in person.
• No last names, school names, addresses or phone numbers should appear on blogs or wikis.
• Be cautious how you setup your profile, bio, avatar, etc.
• When uploading digital pictures or avatars that represent yourself make sure you select a school appropriate image. Employee handout book guidelines apply to the digital world too. Also remember not to utilize protected images.  Images should be available under Creative Commons or your own.

Instant Messaging 

• X School District employees are required to get authorization to have instant messaging programs downloaded on their school computers.
• X School District employees also recognize this same authorization is required for access to instant messaging programs that are available through web interfaces with no download
• Avatar images and profile information should follow the same guidelines as the above Profiles and Identity section
• A written request must be submitted to the district Chief Information Officer for approval.
• When submitting a request to the CIO please include your name, building, grade level, and provide a statement explaining your instructional purposes for using the program.
• It would also be beneficial if you can tie your request to state curriculum standards or the student or teacher National Educational Technology Standards.