Technology Misuse in Schools

Technology Misuse in Schools

Students misuse technology in schools. Technology in schools typically consists of school computers, cell phones, ipods, and other personal devices.
Schools that recognize the abuse of technology have responded with Accepted Use Policies (AUPs), which dictate how students can and can’t use technology on school grounds. AUPs describe the digital citizenship, or the rights and responsibilities of students, expected of students. The first step schools take is to increase awareness of the responsibilities of students and of the school corporations so students understand what isn’t appropriate.
Major forms of technology abuse in schools:
• Security
• Copyright
• Plagiarism
• Cyber bullying
The security of a school’s computer system is put at risk when students go on blocked sites. Schools may set up anti-virus software to counteract this exposure.
Copyright is the set of rights accorded the author of a piece of original work, and copyright infringement is the piracy of the work. Students use copyrighted work such as papers, music, pictures, etc. One form of copyright infringement is plagiarism. Plagiarism is the use of the thoughts or words of someone else, and it is illegal. Many websites foster plagiarism by claiming to be homework help sites. The most common form of plagiarism is the “cut and paste” method in which students directly copy a source and paste it into a document.
Online harassment and cyber bullying also occur in schools. Cyber bullying is hostile behavior communicated using technology such as the internet. It is a popular form of bullying because it extends control outside of the classroom. Cyber bullying does, however, provide proof of bullying, and it allows for students to be appropriately accused and punished.

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