Musings

Creating the Responsible User Agreement for the final project in Course 2 was really enlightening. The projects I have been involved in thus far have all been organized by a larger group, and I was simply a participant (or an additional node) that stretched the project further. However, this project felt different in that it was a small group project where the members had to iron out the details of how the final product was going to be created.

Here are some thoughts that I had before I started this project:

• It’ll be on a Google Doc, so we’ll just add information as we go along
• We can email and contact each other at any time. We’re all online, after all…
• It may be nice to have a time when we all meet and talk about what we are thinking, but it’s not really necessary. Again, we are online, we can communicate via email or messaging.

Boy, I was in for a rude awakening. The things that I believed before this project were not  wrong, but it doesn’t work just like that. There’s a lot of purposeful planning that needs to take place so that the collaborative and communication tools must be used. Some things I realize now:

• It is important to have even a little bit of time for everyone to get together to make sure we are all on the same page
• Like any group work, there should be someone who calls for and organizes a meeting
• Google Docs don’t fill themselves
• Emailing is a useful tool, but not when you’re not sure what you’re discussing

So, we survived through all this, and were able to create a Responsible User Agreement (modified slightly from the main group one originally created by Louise van Steveninck (@asialou) from Shekou International School – to fit more into Seoul International School).

Responsible User Agreement – SIS Elementary School:

We want you and your parents to:                                                                                           Read – Understand – Accept

 I will be:

• Trustworthy – I will use my device for learning. I will always use appropriate educational websites and applications at school and at home.

• Honest – I will be fair to other people online and to the rules of the websites I use. I will give credit if I use another person’s work.

• Independent – I will work through problems when I am using my device. If I cannot solve the problem myself, I know where to go for help. I will be responsible for taking care of my device.

• Necessary – I will ask myself before posting or sending something: Does this information have to be shared with the public? Is this the only tool that has the ability to do this work?

• Kind – I will be respectful in my comments to other people online.

Responsible User Agreement – SIS Elementary School: 

When using a computer or iPad I will:

• Close the lid or cover before moving it anywhere.

• Carry it with both hands or “Hug it like you love it.”

• Keep it on a table or flat surface (lap) – never on the floor

• Keep food and drink away from it

• Make sure my hands are clean before using the technology

• Use a password to keep my content safe

• Tell an adult if it is damaged or not working properly

Reflecting on this actual project itself, the RUA created for this project is geared more toward the early elementary grade levels. I think it would be helpful if something similar can be adopted in a school wide fashion. Some ways to adapt this idea is to include additional details under each section of the THINK acronym. For example, next to H (Honesty), expectations of formatting or how credit should be given can be more appropriate for upper grades.

Thank you to my group members: Alice Cha, Tabitha Johnson (@tabletj), and especially to Louise van Steveninck (@asialou) for creating the backbone of this project! It was loads of fun to see and hear other people’s thoughts!