Internet Access

A comprehensive School Policy has been developed for Internet access. This Policy is attached to enrolment papers or may be obtained from the Administration Office. Please note that before students can access the "net", written approval must be received from parents/caregivers.

Specific Area: Internet Policy and Guidelines for Use

Objective:
To allow for responsible and productive usage of the intranet and internet in the school community.

Purpose:
Moggill State School provides students and teachers at the school with computer facilities for educational use. The resources provided include computers, printers, CD Rom access and Internet access.

The Internet link is limited to educational use only. The purpose of providing such a link is to assist in preparing students for success in life and work in the 21st Century by giving them electronic access to a wide range of information and the ability to communicate with people throughout the world.

Additionally the link will be used to assist staff in upgrading their skills through greater exchange of information with their peers. The term "educational use" includes use of the link for classroom activities, professional or career development and limited high-quality self discovery activities. All users should understand and agree to this purpose.

Policy:
1. Responsibilities
(a) The Principal with the computer coordinator, will act as coordinators to oversee the connection, ensure teachers receive proper training in Internet use and are fully aware of the requirements of this policy. The coordinators will also establish a system to ensure adequate supervision of student use.
(b) Teachers should ensure that their students understand the internet access agreement before it goes to their parents or guardians.

2. Technical Services Ultimately Provided
(a) E-mail. E-mail will allow staff and students to communicate with people from throughout the world. Users will also be able to subscribe to mail-lists to engage in group discussions related to educational topics.
(b) World Wide Web. The Web provides access to a wide range of information in the form of text, graphics, photographs, video and sound from throughout the world. The Web is a valuable research tool for students and staff.
(c) File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP allows users to download large files and computer software subject to copyright approval.
(d) Blocking software. The Department provides this service through the Eduaction Queensland Managed Internet Service (MIS)

3. Access
(a) Moggill State School’s Acceptable Use and Unacceptable Usage Policies are set out in (Attachments 1 and 2). These will govern the use of the Internet by staff and students. Student use will be governed by a written agreement (Attachment 3 (available from the school)). In the lower grades, staff only will have direct access to searching on the Internet. Student access for these grades will be via sites that have been previously bookmarked by teachers.
(b) Staff and Grades 1-7 students have access to the Internet, including email, via individual accounts. Prep students have access to the Internet, including email, via a generic group log in. All accounts are monitored by the Managed Internet Service. See Attachment 5 for more information.

4. Parental Notification and Responsibility
(a) Parents will be made aware of the Internet and the policies governing its use (Attachment 3). Parents must also sign an agreement to allow their child/children to have access to the Internet.
(b) The Moggill Acceptable Use Policy contains restrictions on accessing inappropriate material. Parents are asked to re-inforce, with their children, what material is and is not acceptable for access through the school link.
(c) The school will provide students and parents with guidelines for student safety while using the Internet. In the first instance these guidelines will be distributed through classrooms and then form part of enrolment procedures.

5. Moggill Limitation of Liability
The user must take full responsibility for their own actions. Moggill State School will not be liable for the actions of anyone connecting to the Internet through the school line. All users shall assume full liability, legal, financial and otherwise for their actions.
In addition, Moggill State School takes no responsibility for any information or materials that are transferred through the Internet. The school will check all data stored in computers involved in the Internet to make sure that all users are in compliance with these regulations.

6. Copyright and Plagiarism
(a) Department policies on copyright will govern the use of material accessed through the school’s link. If material from the Web is to be used then permission from the copyright holder must be sought.
(b) Teachers will instruct students in appropriate research and citation practices.
(c) Prior teacher approval is required for printing or downloading to a disc of any resource from the Internet.

7. Selection of Material
When using the Internet for class activities, teachers will select material that is appropriate in light of the age of the students and that is relevant to the course objectives. Teachers will preview the materials and sites they require or recommend student access to, in order to determine the appropriateness of materials contained on or accessed through the site. Teachers will also assist their students to develop the skills necessary to use the information critically.

8. Moggill Web Site
Moggill State School will establish a Web site and pages that present information about the school and class activities.

ATTACHMENT 1 - MOGGILL STATE SCHOOL ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Moggill State School provides access to the Internet for educational use and communication within the wider school community. Students wishing to access the Internet without a specific educational purpose should do so using computer resources from outside the school.
Responsibilities:
Students who use the Internet will:
  • behave responsibly and at all times respect the rights of others; they will not send messages that are offensive, threatening or that constitute harassment
  • copy only materials that may be legally copied and with teacher approval
  • not access materials that may be offensive or inappropriate
  • use the E-mail system with integrity and respect the privacy of others by not revealing telephone numbers or addresses including their own
  • report all instances of inappropriate access
  • not post anonymous messages
  • not attempt to modify any equipment or software
  • not play computer games or simulations unless approved by the supervising teacher
  • follow netiquette of using the internet (Attachment 4).

ATTACHMENT 2 - MOGGILL STATE SCHOOL UNACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
The following uses of the Moggill Internet link are considered unacceptable
1. Personal Safety (Students only)
(a) Users will not post personal contact information about themselves or other people. This information includes full name, address, telephone, school address, credit card or bank account numbers, etc.

2. Illegal Activities
(a) Users shall not use this Internet connection to perform any act that may be construed as illegal or unethical including the use of the connection to unauthorized access to other computers.

3. Inappropriate Language
(a) Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to public messages, messages and material posted on Web pages.
(b) Users will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language.

4. Respect for Privacy
(a) Users will not repost a message that was sent to them privately without permission of the person who sent them the message.
(b) Users will not post private information about another person.

5. Inappropriate Access to Material
(a) Users will not use the Internet to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography) or that advocates illegal acts or that advocates violence discrimination towards other people.
(b) If a user inadvertently accesses such information, they should immediately disclose this to their Teacher and/or Supervisor.


ATTACHMENT 4 - NETIQUETTE
The netiquette of Internet use within Moggill State School:
1. Email use is for educational purposes only (see Internet Access Purpose section for a definition of "educational use").
2. Include a clear and specific subject line and edit any quoted text down to the minimum you need.
3. Read your own message three times before you send it.
4. Think of how your recipient might react to your message.
5. Check your spelling and grammar.
6. Do not use ALL CAPITALS.
7. Do not forward any chain letter - send only sensible and relevant messages.
8. Do not use E-mail for any illegal or unethical purpose.
9. Do not rely on the privacy of E-mail.
10. Send messages that you would be happy to receive.


ATTACHMENT 5 - SCHOOL NETWORK USAGE

Why are schools providing students access to ICT facilities? To ensure young Queenslanders are well equipped to contribute fully to the information economy, the education sector is responding to the innovation directions of the Smart State Strategy through Smart Classrooms. This strategy focuses innovative programs and resources towards schools, teachers and students. An essential tool for schools in the provision of innovative educational programs is the utilisation of intranet, internet and network services. Therefore, access to these technologies is an increasingly essential part of the modern educational program provided in schools.


What is acceptable/appropriate use/behaviour by a student?
It is acceptable for students to use school computers and network infrastructure for: assigned class work and assignments set by teachers; developing literacy, communication and information skills; authoring text, artwork, audio and visual material for publication on the Intranet or Internet, solely for educational purposes as supervised and approved by the school; conducting research for school activities and projects; communicating with other students, teachers, parents or experts in relation to school work; and access to online references such as dictionaries, encyclopaedias, etc. Students can also collaborate, research and learn through Education Queensland’s e-learning environment.


What is unacceptable/inappropriate use/behaviour by a student?
It is unacceptable for students to: download, distribute or publish offensive messages or pictures; use obscene or abusive language to harass, insult or attack others; deliberately waste printing and Internet resources; damage computers, printers or the network equipment; violate copyright laws which includes plagiarism; use unsupervised internet chat; and use online e-mail services (e.g. hotmail), send chain letters or Spam e-mail (junk mail). Usernames and passwords are to be kept by the student and not divulged to any other individual (e.g. a student should not give their fellow students their username and password). Students can not use another student or staff member’s username or password to access the school’s network, including not trespassing in another person’s files, home drive or e-mail. Additionally, students should not divulge personal information (e.g. name, parent’s name, address), via the internet or e-mail, to unknown entities or for reasons other than to fulfil the educational program requirements of the school.


What is expected of schools when providing student’s with access to ICT facilities?
Schools will provide information in relation to student access and usage of its network and reserves the right to restrict/remove student access to the intranet, extranet, internet or network facilities if parents or students do not adhere to the school’s network usage and access guideline/statement.
Schools will prepare students for the possibility of unanticipated access to harmful information, materials or approaches from unknown persons via the internet (e.g. run through processes for disregarding (or ceasing access) to information, the process for reporting accidental access to harmful information and reporting approaches from unknown persons via the internet to the supervising teacher or school staff member).
Where possible, classes involving internet usage by students will be prepared prior to class engagement, including, filtering and checking sites students are directed to visit. An assessment should be made of the appropriate timeframe for access to the internet for completing the set task or duration a student should have access to the internet (e.g. during schools hours, outside of school hours).


What awareness is expected of students and their parents?
Students and their parents should:
• understand the responsibility and behaviour requirements (as outlined by the school) that come with accessing the school’s ICT network facilities and ensure they have the skills to report and discontinue access to harmful information if presented via the internet or e-mail;

Students and their parents should be aware that:
• the ICT facilities should be utilised with good behaviour as stipulated under the Code of School Behaviour;
• students breaking these rules will be subject to appropriate action by the school. This may include restricted network access for a period as deemed appropriate by the school;
• access to ICT facilities provides valuable learning experiences, therefore giving the student educational benefits in line with the school’s educational program;
• the Internet gives access to information on and from a wide variety of organisations, subjects, people, places with origins from around the world; the school can not control information accessed through the internet; and information may be accessed or accidentally displayed which could be illegal, dangerous or offensive, with or without the student’s immediate knowledge; and
• teachers will always exercise their duty of care, but protection, mitigation and discontinued access to harmful information requires responsible use by the student.






Page Updated: 07/06/2008