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2007 Hinton Public School Internet Policy
Purpose
The aim of this policy statement is to provide guidance to students, staff and parents on the acceptable use of the Internet in the teaching and learning programs of this school. This policy addresses the safe management and effective use of the Internet at Hinton Public School. This policy needs to be used in conjunction with the:
Department of Education and Training's Computers in Schools Policy
School Policies on Anti-Racism, Anti-Discrimination, Discipline and Key Learning Areas
Memorandum to Principals (97/110) - Student Access to the Internet
Memorandum to Principals (97/234) - School Publishing on the Internet
Child Protection Policy
 
Rationale
The Internet is a world-wide network connecting millions of university, government, commercial and private computers. In other words, it can be described as an electronic "Information Superhighway". Anyone with access to the Internet can readily share information and communicate with people anywhere in the world who have similar access.
For Educationalists, the Internet is a constantly changing environment that can effectively extend teaching and learning beyond the classroom for all students. It offers a wealth of information from many different sources and in many formats. It provides boundless opportunities to develop students' skills in communications, information processing and publishing. The Internet is not only a student-centred learning tool which encourages collaboration, creativity, problem solving and critical thinking, it is also a tool which can be highly motivating for students to use.
Strategies
This policy addresses the following:
Developing Information and Communication Skills
  • Students will not copy and publish any material from the Internet without first editing and acknowledging all references and sources
  • All supervising teachers will ensure students are utilising the Information Skills Process to conduct searches upon the Internet (as contained in Information Skills in the School [NSW DSE, 1989] and Connect Edu - Internet in Teaching and Learning [NSW DSE, 1997], pp.28-32), and are using appropriate skills to define, locate, select, organise, present and assess information
The Safety and Privacy of Students and Staff
  • This school will not provide identifying data (ie. address or any other information) that describes the personal situation or location of students, staff or community members
  • Written permission from parents/guardians, staff and community members will be obtained before photographs or work samples are published on the Internet
  • Students will be warned about providing personal information about themselves or others across the Internet through school or home connections.
  • It is the responsibility of all users to ensure that all passwords remain confidential and are known only to their rightful owners
  • All users must abide by the specific Internet Code of Conduct, which is attached.
Management of Internet Access
  • Parents/guardians and students must read and sign the Internet Code of Conduct Agreement before Internet access is permitted
  • Only the Computer Administrator will have access to issue and alter passwords.
  • The school will provide adequate supervision to students when accessing the Internet. Students will only be permitted to access the Internet for research/educational based learning activities.
  • Students who access the Internet for E-mail will be taught 'netiquette' and be made aware of legal and ethical implications of behaviour.
  • E-mail messages will be transmitted under teacher supervision and through the Web Services secure portal.
  • The School Computer Policy outlines the use of floppy disks and their implication for viruses. Such guidelines will apply to the use of the Internet service.
  • The virus checker will be used on a regular basis.
  • Students will not be permitted to Download programs or software from the Internet.
 
Equity of Access
  • Teaching sessions on the correct use of Web Services and the Internet, will be given by the Computer Co-ordinator/ Teacher-Librarian to all staff and students.
  • The Computer Co-ordinator, Teacher Librarian and class teachers will assist students on how to use the Internet for research purposes.
  • The School/Library Internet service will be provided free of charge to all school community members.
 
 
Security
  • Access to the Internet will be managed by the Computer Co-ordinator.
  • A login system will be used to control access to the Internet.
  • Individuals will be held accountable for any infringements which are detected as having taken place during their login time on an allocated computer.
Legal requirements and Copyright
  • Any material accessed from the Internet will be acknowledged.
  • All current copyright provisions will be adhered to.
 
Key Responsibilities
Staff Responsibilities
The use of the Internet should be incorporated into student learning programs.
Supervising staff should ensure that students use the Internet and e-mail facilities in an acceptable and responsible way (ie. as set out in the Code of Conduct).
Parental Responsibilities
Parents and guardians will be encouraged, through the newsletter and parent associations, to discuss the Code of Conduct with their children, which will be issued at the commencement of each school year.
Student Responsibilities
All students will have access to the World Wide Web and E-mail. Students must take personal responsibility for ensuring that they use the Internet and E-mail facilities in an acceptable way (ie. as set out in the Code of Conduct which will be discussed during computer lessons at the commencement of the school year).
In the event that inappropriate material is accessed by accident, the site should be closed at once and the user should inform supervising staff.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Code of Conduct
·           Students will only be given access to the Internet during supervised times.
·           Students will use the Internet during school time mainly as a tool for school based research.
·           Recreational use of the Internet will be made available at lunchtime (in the Library) for students under supervision by the teacher on rostered duty. Access will still be restricted to educational based activities only.
·           Students will not deliberately seek out, create or receive material that is racist, sexist, offensive or abusive in any way.
·           Students will not break copyright law by copying another person's work from the Internet and pass it off as their own.
·           Students will not access Chat lines on the World Wide Web.
·           Chat lines used in the Web Services portal are secure and filtered and under teacher supervision.
·           Students will not interfere with the computer settings, or the work of any other student saved onto the hard disk.
·           Students who access the Internet for E-mail will be taught 'Netiquette' and be made aware of legal and ethical implications of inappropriate behaviour.
·           Students will not put any details about themselves or any other person onto the Internet (ie. Do not reveal personal addresses, phone numbers or passwords).
·           Students will access E-mail only through the Web Services portal.
·           Students will inform supervising teachers immediately if any material is accidentally found which makes them feel uncomfortable or is inappropriate.
 
References
NSW Dept. of School Education. Developing a School Internet Policy (1997)
 
Review Provision
This policy, in keeping with Hinton Public School's ongoing planning and reporting process, will be reviewed annually by the School Staff and will then be endorsed by the P & C Association.
 
 
 
The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right.
FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THIS POLICY WILL MEAN LOSING THE PRIVILEGE OF USING THE INTERNET