Due to the wealth of new social media tools available to students, student products and documents have the potential to reach audiences far beyond the classroom. This translates into a greater level of responsibility and accountability for everyone.

Social Media Guidelines for Students

1. Be aware of what you post online.  Social media venues are very public.  What you contribute leaves a digital footprint for all to see.  Do not post anything you wouldn't want friends, parents, teachers, or a future employer to see. 
2. Follow the school's code of conduct when writing online.  It is acceptable to disagree with someone else's opinions, however, do it in a respectful way.  Make sure that criticism is constructive and not hurtful.  What is inappropriate in the classroom is inappropriate online. 
3. Be safe online.  Never give out personal information including but not limited to last names, phone numbers, addresses, and pictures.  Do not share your password with anyone besides your teachers and parents
4. Linking to other websites to support your thoughts and ideas is recommended.  However, be sure to read the entire article prior to linking to ensure that all information is appropriate for a school setting.
5. Do your own work!  Do not use other people's intellectual property without their permission.  Be aware that it is a violation of copyright law to copy and paste other's thoughts. It is good practice to hyperlink to your sources.
6. How you represent yourself online is an extension of yourself.  Do not misrepresent yourself by using someone else's identiy.
7. Blog and wiki posts should be well written.  Follow writing conventions including proper grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.  If you edit somone else's work be sure it is in the spirit of improving the writing.

8. Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in the project.

9.  

10. 1. Students using blogs are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, school name, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences.

    2. Students using blogs agree not to share their user name or password with anyone besides their teachers and parents. You agree to never log in as another student.

    3. Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.

    4. Student blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will sometimes be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. Students are welcome to post on any school-appropriate subject.

    5. Students blogs are to be a vehicle for sharing student writing with real audiences. Most visitors to your blog who leave comments will leave respectful, helpful messages. If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away. Do not respond to the comment.

    6. Students using blogs take good care of the computers by not downloading or installing any software without permission, and not clicking on ads or competitions.

     

     

Examples of student contracts/agreements:

• Sample permission to blog letter

• Wiki Warranty - TeachersFirst offers this sample as a service to teachers seeking to set up wikis for their classrooms. It should not be seen as legal advice or as a legal document. Teachers wishing to use this document in total or in part must give credit to TeachersFirst for any portions used from this sample

• Student Bloggers FAQ from Electronic Frontier Foundation

Managing your online identity