INTERNET STUDENT ACCESS POLICY
 

Rationale
 
As a research tool the Internet is unsurpassed due to the wealth of information available to the user. However, because the Internet is not organised or structured in any way, a key element in it’s effective use is the ability to synthesise and sort through vast amounts of information. Using the Internet helps to develop these crucial skills which are useful in many facets of our lives.
The nature of the Internet also means that a wide range of unsuitable material is also available to users. It is virtually impossible to prevent students from accessing such material but we must endeavour to instil in our students a responsible attitude concerning Internet use.
The Internet can enhance the teaching and learning in all key learning areas and we as a school must ensure that our students have an understanding of this new technology, how to use it effectively and with respect for the rights of others.

Issues
• Safety and Privacy
Personal information shall not be transmitted in the form of e-mail or on the school’s web page. Personal information includes:

home address
phone number
photographs with identifying information
personal situations or locations of students and staff
financial information
Where possible written permission will be gained by owners before material is published on the Internet.
Care must be taken to ensure that material published on the Internet is not offensive to any party.

• Code of Behaviour
Before use of the Internet computers at school students are to sign a contract which outlines the rules and guidelines concerning usage.
Any infringement of rules shall be dealt with according to existing disciple policy guidelines. Minor offences will lead to students placed on level cards while more serious offences will lead to loss of Internet access privileges.
Deliberate damage to computer hardware or changing settings in software will be considered as vandalism and dealt with as such.

• Inappropriate Internet Material
Inappropriate material in the form of web sites, pictures, written material (e.g. Explosive recipes) are not to be accessed or transmitted by students under any circumstances.
The Department’s Internet service has existing safeguards to restrict access to most inappropriate material. This must be complemented with regular supervisory checks by the Supervising Teacher.
When students encounter inappropriate sites or material on the Internet they should inform the teacher present or the librarian. This notice should be made with a minimum of fuss and without first bringing the site to the attention of other students.
The teacher or librarian shall note the address and details of the site in question and notify the Principal. The Principal will make arrangements to notify the Department’s Help Desk on 1800338483 or by email to ITHelp@det.nsw.edu.au.

• Equity of Access
Adequate access to the Internet through the school computers shall be made available to all staff and students in the school regardless of year, age, gender or position in the school.

• Relationship with Existing Policies
Where possible, any actions or procedures to be undertaken will comply with existing school policies.

• Effective and Secure Management
The Computer Coordinator contact person is responsible for maintaining and distributing passwords and access information throughout the school.
Personal disks and CD-ROM’s are not to be used on the school computers without permission from the School Computer Coordinator.
Applications are not to be downloaded.
Work to be published on the school website is to be strictly supervised by an appointed teacher.

• Legal Requirements regarding Copyright
Students and staff are to be made aware of copyright legislation regarding the use of material on the Internet.
Copyright exists on all creative works on the Internet including:

o text
o pictures
o video
o film
o music
All works are protected under copyright law from the moment they are published. No work is to be used without the written permission of the author or publisher.

• Training of Staff and Students
Provisions shall be made for adequate training for staff wishing to gain basic and advanced usage skills on the Internet. Organisation of training shall be determined as the needs arise and depending upon the circumstances. In order for students to gain the full benefit of using the Internet it is expected that any teacher who uses the Internet with their class should be adequately proficient in it’s use.

• Review and Revision of Policy
This policy will be reviewed every 12 months, or as needed, and revised if necessary.