INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Ratified by Maryfield BOM - March 2006

In Maryfield College we aspire to create an educational environment where pupils come to learn and to understand themselves, their abilities and their world.  In this environment they learn to take responsibility for themselves and others and so can become independent adults.

In this context the internet is a powerful tool, both in teaching and in learning.  It can enhance and enliven course work and can go a long way towards helping students to become independent learners.

Rationale

An AUP is necessary to ensure that pupils benefit form the learning opportunities offered by the schools internet resources and that the internet is used in a safe and effective manner.  An AUP ensures that school ethos and principles are reflected in the use of this resource and supports teachers and parents in the safe use of the internet.

Goal

The aim of this policy is to ensure the safe and effective use of the internet for all pupils

Operating Context

Maryfield College is committed to complying with directives issued by the Department of Education and Science in relation to acceptable use of the internet and with relevant legislation ie

• Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003

• Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998

• Interception Act 1993

• Video Recordings Act 1989

• The Data Protection Act 1988

Content

The school employs a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:

• Internet sessions are always monitored by a teacher/supervisor.

• Filtering software and/or equivalent systems are used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.

• The school regularly monitors pupils’ Internet usage.

• Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.

• Virus protection software will be use and updated on a regular basis.

• The use of personal floppy disks or CD-ROMs in school requires a teacher’s permission.

• Students will observe good “netiquette” (i.e., etiquette on the Internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.

World Wide Web

• Students are not permitted to visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.

• Students may use the Internet for educational purposes only.

• Students must become familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning.

• Students are not permitted to disclose or publicise personal information.

• Any usage, including distributing or receiving information, school-related or personal may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.

Email

• Students may only use approved class email accounts under supervision by or permission from a teacher.

• Students are not permitted to send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.

• Students are not permitted to reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.

• Students will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through emails or the internet.

• Students cannot send or receive email attachments unless they have permission from their teachers.

Internet Chat

• Students only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or other electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school.

• Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat is strictly forbidden.

School Website

• Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web.

• The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.

• Pupils’ work will appear in an educational context on Web pages with a copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express written permission.

• Digital photographs, audio or video clips of individual students will not be published on the school website. Instead photographs, audio and video clips will focus on group activities. Video clips may be password protected.

• Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will be omitted from school web pages.

• Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.

Sanctions

Misuse of the Internet will result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.

Monitoring and Review

Mrs Ann Stack-Devlin is responsible for the monitoring of the implementation of this policy and will report to the Principal and/or Deputy Principal.  The policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if such a review is considered necessary.