Guidelines and Procedures for using blogs in our schools.

Blogging is a valuable component of shared media.  Blogs provide an audience, which is an important motivator for writers. They foster collaboration and have the ability to build stronger learning communities.  The goal of the district’s educational blogs is to provide constructive, respectful, and productive dialogue between bloggers and their audiences. 

The following procedures should be used on blogs administered by PCSD teachers for instruction.

All comments and student posts must be monitored before being published.
Obscenity is obviously prohibited, but bloggers should also exercise caution with regards to copyrighted materials and derogatory remarks or characterizations.  Assume everything you and your students write will be read by parents, colleagues, administrators, and news reporters. Be mindful of what students are saying to each other in comments. Make sure bullying or harassment does not occur. Read each post and comment carefully before publishing.

Privileged Information
Any confidential information is off-limits for your blog. Student images may not be posted without a signed release and it is recommended that a student’s name not be posted if their image is used.

Be Respectful
Be thoughtful and accurate in your posts, and be respectful of how others may be affected. 

Details
Running spell check and asking a friend to proofread are highly recommended.

2/11/2008. Contact Marsha Cruce for more information. 386 329-0541