Sample Policy Statement Language
for Computer-Related Class Activities in the Writing Program
Below are several statements that might be included in your course
policies if you wish to use computers in class or to assign computing
activities outside of class. These policies will help clarify the protocol
should problems arise. Modify these statements as you see fit.
Use of Laptops in Class
You will be asked to use your laptop in this class. [If laptops will
be used only on particular days, add a sentence here indicating
how students will know to bring them.]
Ensure the proper working order of your laptop, including a fully
charged battery, before class. Any problems with your laptop can be
addressed at the ITRC Help Desk on the lower level of the R.B. House
Undergraduate Library. You can also consult http://help.unc.edu or
call 962-HELP. Not seeking timely repair or failing to charge the battery
may result in unexcused non-participation for that day’s activities.
Be aware that electronic class activities are public. Your work resides
on the University’s computer network and may be viewed by an
unknown audience.
Observe appropriate decorum as you use laptops in class. The content
of personalized desktops and screensavers as well as your participation
in electronic communication (e.g., e-mail, discussion forums, publishing
materials online) should be sensitive to the public space of the classroom
and to the computing
policies of this university. Consult The
Instrument,
particularly Section II. C. 1., for a list of inappropriate behaviors.
Further, using your laptop during class in ways that are unrelated
to instruction (i.e., Instant Messaging) may result in unexcused non-participation
for that day’s activities.
For General Use of Computers in and out of Class
You will be asked to use computers in and out of class to conduct
activities in this course.
Allow time to seek assistance for any technical issues that arise
when completing computer-based activities. Most problems can be addressed
at the ITRC Help Desk on the lower level of the R.B. House Undergraduate
Library, at http://help.unc.edu, or by calling 962-HELP.
Be aware that electronic class activities are public. Your work resides
on the University’s computer network and may be viewed by an
unknown audience.
Observe appropriate decorum during all computer-based activities related
to this class. You must act with respect and responsibility in accordance
with The
Instrument, particularly Section II. C. 1, and this university’s
computing
policies. Further, computing activities that are unrelated
to instruction (i.e., Instant Messaging) may result in unexcused non-participation
for that day’s activities.
Use of Blackboard
This course has a Blackboard Web site, which you should access regularly
by logging in with your onyen and password at http://blackboard.unc.edu/ and then by selecting ENGL [supply
your course number here] from
the list of available courses. Use this site to check your homework
assignments, participate in discussion forums, download course
documents for printing, engage in file-exchange for peer review,
communicate
with classmates or the instructor, and check your grade.
Note
These policies address infractions, but they do not reward participation.
Realize that successful computing activities are fully integrated
into the course design: participation should be assessed according
to specific criteria, and such assessments should be included in
students’ final grades. For example, if students will be participating
in Blackboard discussion forums throughout the semester, you should
make engagement in the forums part of their class responsibilities.
Your criteria might include a minimum number of original posts and
a minimum number of replies in forums; you might also set up a 3-point
scoring rubric that assesses these contributions and counts as 10%
of the final grade. Your policies—whatever they are—must
clearly indicate the importance of the activity and be easily incorporated
into your grading practices.
Updated: Fall, 2004
UNC-CH Writing Program
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