Tracy Cameron
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF
EDUCATION
(Leadership)
VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY
Link to full version: Overcoming Restrictions of Internet Acceptable Use Policies in K-12 Schools: Supporting Educational Professionals Implementing Web 2.0 Tools.
Abstract
Web 2.0 tools are increasingly being used by educators as learning tools for their students, yet some
_ educators are unaware that to do so they must follow their school district Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
when using these types of online tools with students. The intention of this project was to help
contribute to the understanding of restrictions placed on educators through a school district’s AUP and
to determine strategies that can support them in following acceptable use policies when implementing
Web 2.0 tools into their teaching. To ensure educators have convenient access to the documents
required prior to using Web 2.0 tools with students a website containing a vetted list of Web 2.0 tools
based on School District 79 – Cowichan Valley’s AUP was created. Clear documentation of the vetting
process that was created was posted on the website. Web 2.0 tool documents were created to be easily
shared with teachers, parents and students to better inform them of the acceptable uses of the specific
tool. Feedback provided by peers in the field of education indicated a high need for such a resource in
school districts and enthusiasm to access such a resource. The website created will need to be
maintained in order to promote use among educators in School District 79 and to continue the growing
the list of Web 2.0 tools offered on the list of accepted tools.
Keywords: Web 2.0 tools, Educational Technology, Internet Acceptable Use Policy