InterimSchool Guidelines for the Creation of Blog and Wiki Sites

Blogs and Wikis are normally categorised as personal pages which are blocked sites for students by the NSW DET. The following information is provided to help teachers create blogs and wikis to which students can view and contribute.

Potential problems when students contribute to Blog and Wiki sites.

1. Privacy: Students being identified by combinations of name, school, address, and photos.

2. Child Protection: Students "flamed" or bullied by classmates in an anonymous fashion or anonymous

posts being allowed from the wider internet community.

3. Maintenance: Not ensuring that contributions are monitored or not terminating the blog or wiki

when it is no longer necessary or able to be maintained.

4. Copyright: Students uploading copyrighted material including photos or music.

5. Responsibility: Teachers delegating their responsibilities to students or parents.

Acceptable practice for teachers in the creation of Blog and Wiki sites for students

Please provide screenshots showing settings for the following criteria.

All users must be registered and be password protected so that anonymous contributions are not possible.
All contributions are emailed to the Teacher Administrator for moderation.
The blog or wiki should be private and not visible to search engines.

Please provide supporting statements for the remaining criteria.

The blog or wiki content should be curriculum oriented.
The Teacher Administrator retains full responsibility for all material on the site.
Student details and privacy are adequately protected.
Cyberbullying is dealt with through the school’s discipline policy.
The site is correctly maintained to ensure there are no inappropriate links.
The site is terminated when it is no longer required.
DET copyright provisions are met.

NB The Web-filtering Unit is not responsible for monitoring these sites.

Further information is available at:-

Code of conducthttps://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/staff/ethical_behav/conduct/PD20040020_i.shtml?level

Internet and Email Services: Acceptable Usage for Schoolshttps://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/general_man/general/accep_use/PD20020046_i.shtml?level

TAFE Use of Internet and Intranet Services

https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/tafe/use/index.htm

Employer Communications Devices Staff Use

https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/staff/ethical_behav/comm_dev/PD20020024_i.shtml?level

https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/deptresources/copyright/basics/index.htm

DET Policies

https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/

Ken Curran