Internet Policy
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Contents |
Introduction
The Internet is an electronic information highway connecting many thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. This global "network of networks" is not governed by any entity. This means that there are no limits or checks on the kind of information that is maintained by, and accessible to, Internet users. The educational value of appropriate information on the Internet is substantial. Because, however, the Internet is composed of information from a vast array of sources world-wide, it includes some material that is not of educational value in the context of the school. This material includes information which may be inaccurate, abusive, profane, sexually oriented, racist or illegal. In order to guard young people from any inherent dangers, it is the joint responsibility of school staff and the parent or guardian of each pupil to educate the pupil about his or her responsibility when using the Internet.
Mount Tamar School has a network of computers which access the Internet and the policy below outlines the safeguards which must be adheared to.
Staff and Pupils
When using the Internet, all users must comply with all copyright, libel, fraud, discrimination and obscenity laws, and all school staff (both teachers and support staff) are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with the rules of behaviour governing employees in the education sector.
Pupils are responsible for their good behaviour on the school networks, just as they are on and off school premises. While the use of information and communication technologies is a required aspect of the curriculum, access to the Internet remains a privilege and not a right. It is given to pupils who act in a considerate and responsible manner, and will be withdrawn if they fail to maintain acceptable standards of use.
- Staff should ensure that pupils know and understand that no Internet user is permitted to:
- retrieve, send, copy or display offensive messages or pictures;
- use obscene or racist language;
- harass, insult or attack others;
- damage computers, computer systems or computer networks;
- violate copyright laws;
- use another users password;
- trespass in another users folders, work or files;
- intentionally waste resources (such as on-line time and consumables);
- use the network for unapproved commercial purposes.
Location and Supervision
It is an absolute requirement that the school ensures that access to the Internet provided to staff and pupils in Mount Tamar School is filtered. All users should be aware that the school can and does track and record the places visited, the searches made on the Internet and email sent and received by individual users.
Internet access for pupils at Mount Tamar School is on computers in higly-used areas of the school such as classrooms, the library, hostel and ICT Room. Computers that are connected to the Internet should be in full view of people circulating the area.
While using the Internet at Mount Tamar School, pupils should, where possible, be supervised. However, when appropriate, pupils may pursue work independent of staff supervision if they have been granted permission. In all cases, pupils should be reminded of their responsibility to use these resources in line with the school policy on acceptable use.
Schools should ensure that all pupils understand how they are to use the Internet appropriately and why the rules exist.
Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are using the system responsibly. While normal privacy is respected and protected by password controls, as with the Internet itself, users must not expect files stored on the Mount Tamar School servers to be absolutely private.
SWGfL
SWGfL supports the implementation and sharing of effective practices and collaborative networking across the province, as well as nationally and internationally. Staff should be encouraged to use NINE Connect resources in their teaching and learning activities, to conduct research, and for contact with others in the education world.
Electronic information-handling skills are now fundamental to the preparation of citizens and future employees in the Information Age. Staff should be encouraged to investigate the possibilities provided by access to this electronic information and communication resource, and blend its use, as appropriate, within the curriculum. They should model appropriate and effective use, and provide guidance and instruction to pupils in the acceptable use of the Internet.
Examples of Acceptable and Unacceptable Use
- On-line activities which are encouraged include, for example:
- the use of email and computer conferencing for communication between colleagues, between pupil(s) and teacher(s), between pupil(s) and pupil(s), between schools and industry;
- use of the Internet to investigate and research school subjects, cross-curricular themes and topics related to social and personal development;
- the development of pupils competence in ICT skills and their general research skills.
- On-line activities which are not permitted include, for example:
- searching, viewing and/or retrieving materials that are not related to the aims of the curriculum or future careers;
- copying, saving and/or redistributing copyright protected material, without approval;
- subscribing to any services or ordering any goods or services, unless specifically approved by the school;
- playing computer games or using other interactive sites, unless specifically assigned by the teacher;
- using the network in such a way that use of the network by other users is disrupted (for example: downloading large files during peak usage times; sending mass email messages);
- publishing, sharing or distributing any personal information about a user (such as: home address; email address; phone number, etc.);
- any activity that violates a school rule.
Advice for Parents
While in school, teachers will guide pupils toward appropriate materials on the Internet, outside school, parents or guardians bear the same responsibility for such guidance as they would normally exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio and other media.
- Such guidance and advice should include the following:
- parents should discuss with their children the rules for using the Internet and decide together when, how long, and what comprises appropriate use;
- parents should get to know the Mount Tamar School VLE (MTSOC), and talk to them about what they are learning;
- parents should ensure that they give their agreement before their children give outpersonal identifying information in any electronic communication on the Internet, such as a picture, an address, a phone number, the school name, or financial information such as credit card or bank details. In this way they can protect their children (and themselves) from unwanted or unacceptable overtures from strangers, from unplanned expenditure and from fraud;
- parents should encourage their children not to respond to any unwelcome, unpleasant or abusive messages, and to tell them if they receive any such messages or images. If the message comes from an Internet service connection provided by the school or SWGfL they should immediately inform the school.
