LEARNER COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS USAGE POLICY AND UNDERTAKING OF RESPONSIBILITY

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1 LEARNER COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS USAGE POLICY AND UNDERTAKING OF RESPONSIBILITY Introduction: Greensprings School provides access to its network for school-related activities to enable staff, students and parents (where applicable) the ability to share resources, complete assignments, communicate and to undertake educational research. As a responsible member of the Greensprings Community, students are expected to follow the terms laid out in this policy, and further, it must be understood that if the agreement is not followed, all access to the school s network may be withdrawn at any time. Students are also expected to show care, consideration and responsibility when using any school desktop, tablet, laptop or other technical device. Failure to act responsibly and adhere to this policy will result in serious consequences and disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the School. Network: Students will have access to the school network through a personal password and user name. The network accounts are to be used only by the owner of the account (the student), and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure their work is always backed-up. Teachers will teach them how to back up their work. The school will take no responsibility for the loss of any documents. More specifically, it is understood that: 1. Students will use only their authorized logon details and will store all files correctly either on their own laptop or in the allocated school network folder. 2. Students are not to attempt to log into the school network with any username or password that is not their own, or change any other person s password. 3. Students must not disclose their usernames and passwords to anyone other than teachers or network administrators. Students are responsible for all activity that occurs on their account, including storage of materials on their personal home directory. 4. Students must not delete, copy or alter any file or material that is left on an unsupervised computer. If a student finds an unsupervised computer they are to log out immediately. 5. Students must not play games across the school network or on any school computer, unless permitted by a teacher as part of particular academic work. 6. Students are not permitted to use, possess, download or search any program that is designed to reduce or bypass network security. 7. Students must not store or transmit copyrighted material on the school network. Hardware and Software: This applies to both existing computers within the school and the computer or tablet that is part of the GREENSPRINGS SCHOOL 1-to-1 Laptop Program. The laptops and android tablets belong to Greensprings School, and where students are allowed to take them home, they must be returned at the end of the school year or at any other time requested by the school. If a student transfers from

2 one Greensprings Campus to the other, the tablet or laptop must be returned to the campus from which it was issued. Further, it is noted that: 1. Students are not to adjust any computer hardware. If the computer that a student is using is faulty, they must immediately inform the supervising teacher, who in turn, will notify the IT technician. 2. Students are not permitted to move, unplug, disconnect or attempt to repair any computer equipment. 3. Students are not permitted to add or delete software or change the settings on any computer. 4. Students must not add games, trial or use free computer software on a computer that belongs to the school. 5. Students must not eat or drink near any tablet or laptop because of potential damage to the computer. Printing: 1. If access to a printer is provided, in an effort to minimize erroneous printing, students are to print documents only with permission of the teacher and only after a spell check and print preview has been undertaken. All word documents that are printed must have the student s name in the footer to identify the student. Always check with the supervising teacher first, before printing. 2. Students are not permitted to print materials directly from the Internet. Any information that needs to be printed from the Internet should first be copied and pasted into a word document and the preview button used to check the print. 3. No printing is allowed to take place without the permission of the teacher. 4. The school is currently developing a printing policy, which may allow students to print at several locations around the school. Students will incur a small printing cost for this service, based on the quantity of prints. Internet: 1. The Internet at Greensprings School is provided to assist the student s education and is to be used in the classroom with permission from the teacher. As such, students will use the Internet for appropriate educational reasons only as directed and supervised by a teacher or adult. Students are educated to be responsible digital citizens and must at all times use the Internet sensibly. If the internet is accessed at home using a school tablet or laptop, responsible use is still expected, and parents are expected to supervise its use. 2. If permitted to take the tablet or laptop home, it is to be used for appropriate educational reasons. 3. The Internet is monitored on a daily basis by the school. A log of each individual user s access to the Internet, the websites, social networking sites, chat rooms and downloading of files are all recorded during school time. The school can only monitor this activity while the student is logged on to the school network. Parents are expected to monitor the use of the computer at home. 4. The school will have installed as many firewalls and such software as possible, but it cannot be guaranteed that somehow, inappropriate material may be accessed. Any student found to be accessing unsuitable material (which includes pornography, sexually explicit, racist or discriminatory material) will be in breach of this user policy and will be dealt with by the School. 5. The Internet is not a moderated medium; therefore the school will endeavour to provide an environment that is as safe as possible in that materials accessed are not offensive or inappropriate. The school already has software in place to monitor tablets and laptops and other computers whilst in school or accessing

3 the school network. However, it is the student s responsibility to ensure that the materials accessed are considered appropriate and do not violate school rules. All students will be taught how to be a responsible digital citizen as this is an integral part of the 1:1 Laptop Program, in addition to being part of the PSHE program in school. Where at all possible, teachers on duty at lunchtime and break times will monitor student tablet and laptop activity, along with the ICT department keeping a log of internet activity. 6. Students are not to use or give the school name online unless given permission by the teacher or their own name or any details, which could identify them. 7. Students must be careful to read the copyright restrictions on the websites and abide by these restrictions. 8. Students need to be aware that copying and pasting text into an assignment is plagiarism and is a breach of copyright laws. Any text quoted must be acknowledged correctly using the referencing format provided by teachers. 9. Students must not look for distasteful images or bad language whilst online and will report any sites containing such information/images, if they accidently come across such material, to the supervising teacher and parents. Again, students must understand that they may only access sites relevant to educational work in school and that they are not permitted to access or look at sites containing inappropriate material (which includes pornography, sexually explicit, racist or discriminatory material). 10. Internet chat rooms and chat clients are not permitted to be used within the school. Students, if required to chat as part of a course, will be allocated supervised times to do so but are more likely to be directed use internal learning management systems for moderated chatting, which is only accessed by Students at the school. 11. Students must not attempt to deliberately hack into the school s network or any other network. This is a serious offence and could result in severe consequences. 12. Students must not download software from the Internet while in school, unless it is required for educational purposes (including screen savers, games, video clips, audio clips, or trial software.) without the express permission of a teacher. 13. Students need to understand that not all information on the Internet is reliable, accurate or timely. 14. Students should not save or send electronic material (text or images) that is copyright restricted, inappropriate, offensive, annoying or that invades another person s privacy. 15. Any electronic communication sent or received via the school s network can and will be monitored at any time without prior notification. Backup: Backup of work and files is the responsibility of the student. It is expected that all students maintain a current and up-to-date backup of their work. It is also recommended that students backup data at all times on to an external media device. Teachers will provide more information about this. Tablet and Laptop 1-to-1 Program specific: Externally purchased tablets or laptops are not permitted to be used as part of the Greensprings School 1-1 Laptop Program. Lost/Stolen/ or Damaged Laptop: If a student s laptop is lost or stolen at school, the student must inform the teacher immediately. If there is no teacher present immediately, this is to be

4 reported it to the IT department or and supervisory adult within the school. Parents also need to be notified, by the student and by the school. If a tablet or laptop is lost or stolen, either at school or elsewhere, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to pay for the cost of a replacement, as the student is expected to keep it safeguarded at all times. Tablets or laptops should not be stored in lockers. If laptop is damaged after having been assigned to a student, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to pay for the cost of any repairs. But, if damaged, the laptop must be brought to the teacher who will take it to the IT technician. It is not permitted to have any repairs done outside the school. Charged Battery: Students who are allowed to take their tablet or laptop home will be expected to come to school with a fully charged battery. Students will not be permitted to leave the class to charge the battery, and an expired battery will not be accepted as an excuse for missing class work. There will be charge points available in school, but these can only be used in cases of emergency charging, or for overnight charging required for tablets that are not allowed to be taken home. Consequences for breach of AUP More than one penalty may apply for any breach of the Greensprings School Acceptable Use Policy, depending on the severity of the breach. Serial offenders will also be dealt with more harshly than a first time offender. The consequences may include the following: 1. Temporary removal of Internet access privileges. 2. Letter to Parents informing of AUP breach. 3. Temporary ban of using the tablet or laptop outside of lessons. 4. Temporary ban of using the tablet or laptop in school. 5. Temporary or permanent recall of the tablet or laptop, 6. Long Term Internet access ban. 7. Permanent ban of Internet access. 8. Parental meeting at school to discuss Acceptable Use Policy breach. 9. Detention (removal of social times, break and lunch). 10. Suspension and or Expulsion. Before a student is issued an Android Tablet or Laptop Computer from Greensprings School, the Document of Undertaking must be completed and returned to the designated Form Teacher for permanent filing in the School Office. More questions and answers are presented below. MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Question 1: What is an Android Tablet Personal Computer? Answer:

5 An Android tablet is a tablet-sized PC that runs on Google's Android operating system (OS). Android tablets include almost all the key features found in a regular tablet PC, including office applications, games, Web browsers and many other programs. Question 2: How does an Android Tablet differ from a regular Laptop Computer? Answer: Android Tablet PC's and laptop computers perform many of the same functions. They both run operating system; they are both portable, and they can both run the same programs. However, there are differences between laptops and tablet PCs as well. Android tablets are convenient, portable and very easy to work with. Videos recorded at higher definition can have some issues from time to time on a tablet, while they play smoothly on most PCs. Also, computer processors are clocked way higher, and the PC operating systems are known to be much more stable than Android. Question 3: What types of Android will Greensprings School use for different Year Groups? Answer: Year Devices & Description Group Pink Class Android Tablet 9 inch Wifi Enabled Year 1 Android Tablet 9 inch Wifi Enabled Year 2 Android Tablet 9 inch Wifi Enabled Year 3 Android Tablet 9 inch Wifi Enabled Year 4 Android Tablet 10inch Wifi and SIM Enabled Year 5 Android Tablet 10inch Wifi and SIM Enabled Year 6 Android Tablet 10inch Wifi and SIM Enabled Year 7 Laptop Computer Wifi and SIM Enabled Year 8 Laptop Computer Wifi and SIM Enabled Year 9 Laptop Computer Wifi and SIM Enabled Year 10 Laptop Computer Wifi and SIM Enabled Year 11 Laptop Computer Wifi and SIM Enabled Question 4: Will children in year 1, 2 and 3 be allowed to take them home? Answer: No. Question 5: Will children in year 4, 5 and 6 be allowed to take them home? Answer: There may be times when students will be allowed to take them home for assigned homework purposes, especially for Year 6 students. Question 6: Will children in year 7-11 be allowed to take laptops home? Answer: Yes. Question 7: Who owns the Android Tablets and laptops Computers? Answer: Greensprings School.

6 Question 8: Will students be allowed to bring their own laptops from home and have them configured with the same software as on those provided by the school? Answer: No. This is because each student s file must be preconfigured and assigned with a unique IP address on the school network. Question 9: Will parents be required to sign a Document of Undertaking before the Android Tablets and laptop computers are issued to the students? Answer: Yes. No student will be issued with a tablet or laptop until the Learner Computer and Internet Access Usage Policy and Document of Undertaking is signed by the parent or guardian and returned to the school. The student will also be required to sign a document acknowledging receipt of the tablet or laptop. A copy of both the Document of Undertaking and Acknowledgement of Receipt of the tablet or laptop Agreement are attached to this document. Question 10: If the device does not work, what should the student do? Answer: Students should first bring the problem to the attention of the teacher who, in turn, will inform the I.T. Department for corrective measures. Question 11: Will the school have spare ones? Answer: Yes; there will be a limited supply on hand.

7 GREENSPRINGS SCHOOL ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY FOR ANDROID TABLETS AND LAPTOP COMPUTERS DOCUMENT OF UNDERTAKING Before a student is issued an Android Tablet or Laptop Computer, and be a part of the 1-to-1 scheme at the Greensprings School, parents/guardians must sign this contract, which binds both parties parents/guardians to the following conditions. I have read and understand the guidelines and conditions for the appropriate use of school computers, 1-1 tablets, laptops and Internet usage. I have carefully read and signed the Acceptable Use Policy, and I undertake to comply with the Policy and the terms outlined in it. I, the parent or guardian of (name of student) have received a copy of the Learner Computer and Internet Access Usage Policy. I have read and understand the document. I agree that my child shall observe the guidelines and conditions contained therein. Further, I undertake responsibility for the cost of repairs or replacement of the laptop computer assigned to my child in the event of loss, theft or damage. At the same time, in signing this Undertaking, I understand that the School will put in place all reasonable measures to help ensure that my daughter/son is unable to access inappropriate material, including firewall software. Name of Parent or legal guardian: Signature of Parent or legal guardian: (s) Telephone Number(s) Date: Signature of the Appropriate School Representative:

8 October 18, 2012 Dear Parents and Guardians: It is with pleasure that I am writing to inform you that we will officially launch the Greensprings Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) program, when school resumes after the Half-Term Break on October 29, 2013, starting with Years 1-3. It is with great joy and pride that we look forward to further enhancing the teaching and learning environment at Greensprings School with this exciting and innovative One-to- One Tablet and Laptop Program. Greensprings will be one of the first, if not the first school in Nigeria to provide students with this leading edge technology. This will undoubtedly make teaching and learning more enjoyable and current with world-wide educational trends. Teachers at both campuses have undergone extensive training since mid-august in the use of Interactive White Boards, Android Tablets and Laptop Computers. The training will continue throughout the school year, with introductory sessions offered to parents and students. The VLE Program will be phased across the school as follows: Years 1, 2 and 3 at commencement of the Second Half-Term with Android Tablets. Years 4, 5, and 6 soon thereafter in the Second Half-Term with a higher level brand of Android Tablets. Years 7 11 will be issued Laptop Computers, also in the Second Half-Term, once the two above phases are in full operation. (Years 12 and 13 Students of the IBDP already have laptop computers). Please note that children in Pink Class will learn to use the tablet as a classroom resource rather than having one issued to individual pupils. This is standard practice for young children. Charge stations for the tablets will also be provided. An electronic folder will be set up for each pupil and linked to the school s own server. Teachers will also be provided with a tablet or laptop computer as appropriate. Before these new educational tools are issued, parents should please read and sign the Learner Computer and Internet Access Usage Policy and Agreement, which is an undertaking of responsibility for the equipment. The Policy and Agreement form is attached with this document, and we ask you to please print it out and return a signed copy to the school on the first day of the Second Half-Term, October 29. Once again, as Greensprings School enters the next level of advancement in teaching and learning, we thank you for your continuous support and understanding. Yours sincerely, Prof. Dr. George Hickman Director of Education