Purpose statement
· Information and
communication technology (ICT), including access to and use of the internet and
email, are essential tools for schools in the provision of innovative
educational programs.
· Schools are
constantly exploring new and innovative ways to incorporate safe and secure
information and communication technology (ICT) use into the educational
program.
· School students,
only with the approval of the principal, may be permitted limited connection of
personally owned mobile devices to the department's information and
communication technology (ICT) network, where this benefits the student's
educational program.
Authorisation and controls
The principal reserves the right to restrict student access
to the school's ICT facilities and devices if access and usage requirements are
not met or are breached. However restricted access will not disrupt the
provision of the student's educational program. For example, a student with
restricted school network access may be allocated a stand-alone computer to
continue their educational program activities.
The Department of Education and Training monitors access to
and usage of their ICT network. For example, email monitoring will occur to
identify inappropriate use, protect system security and maintain system
performance in determining compliance with state and departmental policy.
The department may conduct security audits and scans, and
restrict or deny access to the department's ICT network by any personal mobile
device, if there is any suspicion that the integrity of the network might be at
risk.
Responsibilities for using the school's ICT facilities and
devices
·
Students
are expected to demonstrate safe, lawful and ethical behaviour when using the
school's ICT network as outlined in the Code of Behaviour .
·
Students
are to be aware of occupational health and safety issues when using computers and other learning
devices.
·
Parents/guardians
are also responsible for ensuring students understand the school's ICT access
and usage requirements, including the acceptable and unacceptable behaviour
requirements.
·
The
school will educate students regarding cyber bullying, safe internet and email
practices, and health and safety regarding the physical use of ICT devices.
Students have a responsibility to behave in line with these safe practices.
·
Use of
the school's ICT network is secured with a user name and password. The password
must be difficult enough so as not to be guessed by other users and is to be
kept private by the student and not divulged to other individuals (e.g. a
student should not share their username and password with fellow students).
·
Students
cannot use another student or staff member's username or password to access the
school network, including not trespassing in another person's files, home drive,
email or accessing unauthorised network drives or systems.
·
Additionally,
students should not divulge personal information (e.g. name, parent's name,
address, phone numbers), via the internet or email, to unknown entities or for
reasons other than to fulfil the educational program requirements of the
school.
·
Students
need to understand that copying of software, information, graphics or other
data files may violate copyright laws without warning and be subject to
prosecution from agencies to enforce such copyrights.
Responsibilities for using a
personal mobile device (eg. ipod, ipad, tablet, usb drive)
·
Prior
to any personal mobile device being used approval is sought from the school to
ensure it reflects the department's security requirements.
·
Students
are responsible for the security, integrity, insurance and maintenance of their
personal mobile devices and their private network accounts.
·
All
files are to be scanned using appropriate virus software before being downloaded
to the department's ICT network.
·
Follow
any advice provided on best security requirements e.g. password protection.·
Students and parents are to employ caution with
the use of personal mobile devices particularly as these devices can store
significant numbers of files some of which may be unacceptable at school e.g.
games and 'exe' files. An 'exe' file ends with the extension '.exe' otherwise
known as an executable file. When
they are selected they can install programs which may start unwanted processes.·
Any inappropriate
material or unlicensed software must be removed from personal mobile devices
before bringing the devices to school and such material is not to be shared
with other students.·
Unacceptable
use will lead to the mobile device being confiscated by school employees, with its
collection/return to occur at the end of the school day where the mobile device
is not required for further investigation.
Acceptable/appropriate
use/behaviour by a student
It is
acceptable for students while at school to: - assigned
class work and assignments set by teachers
- developing
appropriate literacy communication and information skills
- authoring
text, artwork, audio and visual material for publication on the intranet or internet
for educational purposes as supervised and approved by the school
- conducting
general research for school activities and projects
- communicating
or collaborating with other students, teachers, parents or experts in relation
to school work
- accessing
online references such as dictionaries, encyclopaedias, etc.
- researching
and learning through the department's eLearning environment
· be
courteous, considerate and respectful of others when using a mobile device
· switch
off and place out of sight the mobile device during classes, where these
devices are not being used in a teacher directed activity to enhance learning
· seek teacher's
approval where they wish to use a mobile device under special circumstances.
Unacceptable/inappropriate
use/behaviour by a student
It is
unacceptable for students while at school to:
· use the
any ICT device in an unlawful manner
· download,
distribute or publish offensive messages or pictures
· use of
obscene, inflammatory, racist, discriminatory or derogatory language
·use language
and/or threats of violence that may amount to bullying and/or harassment, or
even stalking
·insult,
harass or attack others or use obscene or abusive language
· deliberately
waste printing and internet resources
·damage
computers, printers or network equipment
· commit
plagiarism or violate copyright laws· ignore
teacher directions for the use of social media, online email and internet chat· send
chain letters or spam email (junk mail)· knowingly
download viruses or any other programs capable of breaching the department's
networks security.· use
in-phone cameras anywhere a normal camera would be considered inappropriate,
such as in change rooms or toilets.· invade someone's
privacy by recording personal conversations or daily activities and/or the
further distribution (e.g. forwarding, texting, uploading, Bluetooth use etc.)
of such material· using a device to cheat during
exams or assessments· take
into or use mobile devices at exams or during class assessment unless expressly
permitted by school employees.