Appropriate Use of Mobile Telephones and other Electronic Equipment by Students
Students are not to bring mobile phones to school. If a phone is required for before/after school purposes, the phone must be left at the office on arrival and picked up at the end of the day. The office is not responsible for the management of a phone's battery. Non-compliance will result in phones being confiscated and parents being notified so collection can occur.
Other electronic equipment is not permitted unless permission is granted by the teacher, in these cases there is to be no internet connectivity.
School network usage and access statement requirement of Acceptable Use of the Department's Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Network and Systems
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:
- work on assigned class work and assignments set by teachers
- develop appropriate literacy communication and information skills
- author text, artwork, audio and visual material for publication on the intranet or internet for educational purposes as supervised and approved by the school
- conduct general research for school activities and projects
- communicat or collaborate with other students, teachers, parents or experts in relation to school work
- access online references such as dictionaries, encyclopaedias, etc.
- research and learn 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 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
- use 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.