Information Technology Policy
&
User Agreements Form
Parents/Caregivers and Students please read and submit via parent’s/caregiver's email address.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Plympton International College : Information Technology Policy
2. User Agreements Form - includes : Cyber-Safety, BYOD Use, Video Conferencing Parental Consent
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1. Plympton International College : Digital Learning Policy
To assist us in enhancing learning through the safe use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), we request the reading of this document and submission of the Information Technology Policy & User Agreements Form.
At Plympton International College we have a BYOD program where students from year 5 to 12 are expected to bring a fully charged device to college every day to support their learning.
It is both Department for Education and college policy that all students and parents/caregivers must read and submit online via our website the following Information Technology Policy & User Agreements Form (using the parent’s/caregiver’s e-mail address) before being granted access to the College network or computer systems.
If a student is living independently of their parents/caregivers or is 18 years of age or more, there is no requirement to obtain the signature of a parent/caregiver. Principals will make these determinations.
Rationale for Digital Learning:
The aim is that the use of personal digital devices will :
· Support and enable successful independent learning.
· Allow for students to collaborate with peers and teachers using media rich technologies.
· Engage students in a personal and differentiated learning journey.
· Provide ‘Anywhere, anytime’ learning.
· Encourage critical thinking and problem-solving while enabling students to develop their
creativity.
· The ability to work with a wide variety of accessories and plug-ins.
· To access resources, complete assignments, personal organisation, researching information, producing documents and assessment pieces, analysing data, participating in surveys, producing videos, reading e-books, creating blogs, taking notes and attending scheduled events.
Digital Citizenship:
A focus of this initiative is digital citizenship, which is the responsible use of technology. Students will continue to learn digital skills, ethics, etiquette, and online safety. These are important aspects of participating in today’s world.
Safe and Secure:
To maintain a safe and secure learning environment, a monitored filtered Internet connection is provided for students. When connected to the college’s network, all data transmissions sent and received are monitored and logged by the Department of Education. This includes, but is not limited to, Internet history and email transmissions. Students are not permitted to use a personal broadband connection such as a 3G/4G phone network, or data. These should be switched off upon arrival at the college. Students found to be inappropriately using or providing access to a mobile network will be addressed through the college’s Student Management Policy.
Responsibility:
Students are solely responsible for their device. They must bring it fully charged to college. The college does not have spare chargers available for use nor will students have access to charging outlets in classrooms (due to WHS concerns students are not permitted to use their chargers at the college).
Similar to other personally owned items, Plympton International College is not liable for loss, damage, misuse, or theft of devices. Families are responsible for device repairs under warranty or through insurance policies. Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) insurance should be a priority when purchasing devices as devices do get broken. Purchasing a protective sleeve/carry case is recommended to help to protect the laptop from accidental damage like drops. It is expected that students will use a hard cover and keep their laptop in their school bag, which is designed to hold a laptop, when moving around the college.
Students must not leave their devices at college and should take them home every day. Students should clearly label their device for identification purposes. Labels should not be easily removable.
Technical Support:
Resources will be provided to help students connect their device to the college network. Your child must be familiar with how to use their device. Teachers will incorporate the use of your child’s device into learning. However, they will not provide technical support.
Device Requirements:
Plympton International College is moving towards a Microsoft Windows based environment and we recommend devices using the Microsoft Windows Operating System. Plympton International College makes no absolute recommendations for BYOD devices, only that they meet the College’s minimum requirements.
If you are purchasing a new device, you can buy one at a computer store or through the ‘BYOD Comp Now computer portal’ on our website) where the college has negotiated special education prices on selected packages, including 3 years insurance cover. The 6 months interest free option provides an opportunity to pay off the device and is a more affordable choice if you need to buy multiple devices. Orders can be placed at any time, generally taking 10 working days. Once your order arrives you will be notified so that you can collect it from the college. https://www.plymptoncollege.sa.edu.au/our-school/information-technology/
Be aware of “Bargain” Laptops / Second Hand Laptops. Some cheaper laptops that don’t meet the minimum specifications, have slow processing power, short battery life and connectivity. If you are buying a second hand device please ensure that: 1. It meets the minimum specifications 2. The battery life will last a minimum of a school day (replacement batteries can usually be purchased online).
Please visit the college website Information Technology page for more information regarding minimum device specifications and instructions on how to connect BYOD devices. https://www.plymptoncollege.sa.edu.au/our-school/information-technology/
Questions about BYOD device requirements, compatibility of an existing device or other issues can be addressed at the ICT help desk in the Resource Centre, or forwarded to the ICT department e-mail: dl.0907.ictadmin@schools.sa.edu.au
Content on Laptops:
The Parent/Caregiver must ensure that all content on the BYOD laptop is licensed, legally obtained and meets the guidelines outlined in the college’s Information Technology Policy & User Agreements Form (this document can be found on the college website). The college reserves the right to audit BYOD laptops and notify parents to remove content that has not been legally obtained or does not comply with the college’s Information Technology Policy & User Agreements.
Student use of mobile devices (Electronic Devices, Mobile Phones & Smart Watches):
We live in a very exciting time of innovation in technology. We acknowledge mobile and smart devices are an important communication tool between families and students. Policies are in place to ensure appropriate use of these devices and helping students to navigate the digital world.
There is a ‘no mobile phone or other such device’ policy during lesson time. All devices must be switched off during lessons and will only be used during lesson time when directed by their teacher for educational purposes.
Phones should be kept in lockers and may only be used during break times by secondary college students only.
Any external communication needs to happen via the front office to ensure the safety of all students and limited interruption to learning.
Students may not use their mobile devices to make contact with their parents/care givers to organise to be collected from college. If unwell or injured students are required to report to their classroom or home group teacher who will then make contact with office personnel. Parents/care givers will be contacted regarding their child/children’s illness or injury and to arrange for the child/children to be collected.
The college does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged student mobile devices.
For full Primary & Secondary Mobile Device Policies, see college website: https://www.plymptoncollege.sa.edu.au/about-us/policies/mobile-phone-policy/
We thank families for their support of these policies to ensure the safe and responsible use of technology while at the college.
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2. User Agreements Form
Part 1: Cyber-Safety Agreement
Cyber-Safety at Plympton International College
Please read this page carefully to check that you understand your responsibilities under this agreement.
The measures to ensure the cyber-safety of Plympton International College are based on our core values: responsibility, respect, innovation and excellence. To assist us in enhancing learning through the safe use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), we request this document be read and submitted online using your (caregiver’s) e-mail address.
It is Department for Education and college policy that all students and their parents/caregivers submit the Information Technology Policy & User Agreements before using devices at the College. All students must have submitted this form in order be able to use the college ICT equipment, wireless network and their own personal devices.
Rigorous cyber-safety practices are in place, which include Cyber-Safety User Agreements for staff and students, who have been involved in the development of the agreement.
The computer network, Internet access facilities, computers and other ICT equipment/devices bring great benefits to the teaching and learning programs at Plympton International College and to the effective operation of the college. The ICT equipment is for educational purposes appropriate to this environment.
The overall goal of Plympton International College is to create and maintain a cyber-safety culture that is in keeping with our values and with legislative and professional obligations. The User Agreement includes information about obligations, responsibilities, and the nature of possible consequences associated with cyber-safety breaches that undermine the safety of the college environment.
Material sent and received using the network may be monitored and filtering and/or monitoring software may be used to restrict access to certain sites and data, including e-mail. Where a student is suspected of an electronic crime, this will be reported to the South Australia Police. Where a personal electronic device such as a mobile phone is used to capture images of a crime, such as an assault, the device will be confiscated and handed to the police.
While every reasonable effort is made by college and DfE administrators to prevent children’s exposure to inappropriate content when using the department’s online services, it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of such exposure. In particular, DfE cannot filter Internet content accessed by your child from home, from other locations away from college or on mobile devices owned by your child. DfE recommends the use of appropriate Internet filtering software.
More information about Internet filtering can be found on the websites of the Australian Communications and Media Authority at http://www.acma.gov.au , NetAlert at http://www.netalert.gov.au , the Kids Helpline at http://www.kidshelp.com.au and Bullying No Way at http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au
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Important terms:
‘Cyber-safety’ refers to the safe use of the Internet and ICT equipment/devices, including mobile phones.
‘Cyber bullying’ is bullying which uses e-technology as a means of victimising others. It is the use of an Internet service or mobile technologies - such as e-mail, chat room discussion groups, instant messaging, webpages or SMS (text messaging) - with the intention of harming another person.
‘College ICT’ refers to the college’s computer network, Internet access facilities, computers, and other ICT equipment/devices as outlined below.
‘ICT equipment/devices’ includes computers (such as desktops, laptops), storage devices (such as USB and flash memory devices, CDs, DVDs), cameras (such as video and digital cameras and webcams), all types of mobile phones, gaming consoles, video and audio players/receivers (such as portable CD and DVD players), digital watches and any other, similar, technologies.
‘Inappropriate material’ means material that deals with matters such as sex, cruelty or violence in a manner that is likely to be injurious to children or incompatible with a school or preschool environment.
‘E-crime’ occurs when computers or other electronic communication equipment/devices (eg Internet, mobile phones) are used to commit an offence, are targeted in an offence, or act as storage devices in an offence.
Please contact the Principal if you have any concerns about your child’s safety in using the Internet and ICT equipment/devices.
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Strategies to help keep Plympton International College Students Cyber-safe
Parents/caregivers play a critical role in developing knowledge, understanding and ethics around their child’s safety and safe practices regardless of the time of day. Being cyber-safe is no exception and we invite you to discuss with your child the following strategies to help us stay safe when using ICT at college and after formal college hours.
11. To ensure my compliance with copyright laws, I will download or copy any files such as music, videos, games or programs only with the permission of a teacher or the owner of the original material. If I infringe the Copyright Act 1968, I may be personally liable under this law. This includes downloading files such as music, videos, games and programs.
12. I will ask my teacher’s permission before I put any personal information online. Personal identifying information includes any of the following:
13. I will respect all college ICT equipment and will treat all ICT equipment/devices with care. This includes:
18. Respect others’ rights to privacy and do not take photos, film or audio records of other people without their knowledge or permission.
19. Mobile Data Networks (3G/4G/5G,etc) : Mobile networks can provide students with an unfiltered network within the college grounds. Parents/caregivers are to ensure these are disabled before arrival on site, as the college cannot take responsibility for content accessed through mobile networks. Students found to be inappropriately using or providing access to a mobile network will be addressed through the college’s Student Management Policy.
Students of DfE ICT facilities must in addition to the Information Technology Policy & User Agreements, agree to the additional following terms and conditions for Office 365 ProPlus:
I understand that Plympton International College will:
My responsibilities include:
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Part 2 : Student BYOD User Agreement
Students must read this Student BYOD User Agreement in the company of a parent or caregiver unless otherwise directed by the principal.
I agree that I will abide by the College’s BYOD policy and that:
9. I will report inappropriate behaviour and inappropriate material to my teacher.
10. I understand that my activity on the internet is monitored and recorded and that these records may be used in investigations, court proceedings or for other legal reasons.
11. I acknowledge that the College cannot be held responsible for any damage to, or theft of my device.
12. I understand and have read the limitations of the manufacturer’s warranty on my device, both in duration and in coverage.
13. I will use this device for educational & college related purposes only.
14. I have reviewed the BYOD Minumum Laptop Specifications document and have ensured my device meets the minimum outlined specifications.
15. I understand software installations should be done at home and I am responsible for ensuring the operating system and all software on the device is legally and appropriately licensed.
16. In the event that I require the use of a college laptop due to my own BYOD device not being available, I am aware that signing and returning this form constitutes a commitment to pay in the case of damage or loss due to my negligence (as determined by the Principal). I will replace or pay the full cost of replacement of the damaged or lost equipment with equipment of equal value and functionality subject to the approval of college administration. College policies relating to the recovery of debts will apply.
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Part 3: Video Conferencing: Student Agreement & Parental Consent
This agreement contains information outlining responsible use of video conferencing at Plympton International College.
Where necessary regular classes will occur via interactive video conferencing (i.e., virtual “face-to-face” lessons) in lieu of, or in addition to, “in-class” lessons. Video conferencing (VC) is a real-time interactive audio and visual technology that enables Teachers to provide instruction remotely. The VC system the college uses is Webex (www.webex.com), and Microsoft Teams, both meeting standards of encryption and privacy protection as deemed appropriate by the Department for Education South Australia.
Students are expected to show respect to all members of the school community in person and online – ensuring all College rules are followed at all times.
Students must behave in an ethical manner at all times when interacting and using video conferencing tools for learning. In addition, it is expected that students will follow the college values when conducting themselves and interacting online.
It is an expectation that students are to be in college uniform and follow all instructions of their teachers. This includes responsible behaviour during online class time.
The college will respond to any breaches of the behaviour codes described herein as per the college’s existing behaviour management processes.
Online sessions will be recorded where possible and uploaded for the class members to access at any time.
NOTE : This agreement will remain in force as long as your child is enrolled at this college. If it becomes necessary to add or amend any information or rule, you will be advised in writing. This form must be submitted from the caregiver's email account.
PDF version : Information Technology Policy & User Agreements Form - Click Here