Preamble
Computer use and Internet facilities are provided by the school with the major goal of supporting students learning and facilitating instructional programs. Acceptable use policies (AUP) are student guidelines for using computers and Internet facilities. AUP encompasses rules and correct procedures designed to prevent abuse and unlawful use of the facilities that are provided to scaffold students’ learning. The policy serves to educate both students and parents about risks and precautions of computer communication, rules for efficient, ethical and legal network usage, safe and appropriate social behavior among users and respect for authorized and unauthorized material. The AUP agreement specifies user obligations and responsibilities and shall indemnify the school of any damages.
Definitions
Educational programs: All curriculum subjects offered by the school.
Instructional Programs: Any program at school, course read at Universities or any Curriculum field that are studied worldwide.
A Policy Statement
Computer facilities are provided in the library, as well as, in the Computer laboratories for students use between the hours of 7 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. All students except Form Ones’ are allowed access to all facilities with the written permission of the teaching staff and administration. Form 1 students must complete their first year of training in “Ethics, rules and responsibilities of ICT” to be granted these privileges. All other students must have a signed AUP document lodged with administration which must be scanned and uploaded to their personal account, as well as, present their computer identification card to teachers when requesting permission to use the computer facilities. Students who do not have a signed AUP must work in groups with those who have signed AUP and must supply this document by 12:00 noon the following day. Administration and teaching staff reserve the right to check your history for any unauthorized use (monitor online communication). All students must log off and clear facilities for use by classes accompanied by a teacher.
Acceptable Use Guidelines
Students’ use of the computer network is restricted to “educational purposes”. The schools’ information technology resources including e-mail and internet access must be respected. Compliance to the following is mandatory for continued access to the school’s technological resources. Students are not allowed with food or drink into or are allowed to consume them in any room with a computer. Students must:
v Use only the account allocated to them and should not copy or steal another user’s account or password. Trespassing in another user’s private file is prohibited. Users must keep personal account numbers, home addresses and telephone numbers private.
v Not exceed user storage space maximum. Clean out old and unwanted files regularly.
v Not move any computer from its location without permission.
v Observe all network security practices. Attempts to circumvent network security is an offence and attempts to vandalize, intentionally upload, download or create computer viruses or any malicious attempts to harm or destroy school resources will be seriously addressed.
v Report security risks or violations to teachers or network administrators. Also you must report any damage to computers, personal or network files.
v Understand that computer recourses are not your inherent right and is not personally owned. It is the property of the school and is a privilege that must be shared with all colleagues.
v Respect copyright laws. Students must not plagiarize or engage in software piracy or any material from the net without permission. Fair use guidelines must be adopted and any dissonance or questions can be addressed to teachers or administrators for clarity.
v Communicate kindly and respectfully with all colleagues.
v Report threats such as cyber bullying or any threats that make you uncomfortable.
v Engage in no form of distasteful messaging, threatening, rude, discriminating or harassing connotations. The viewing of pornography is totally prohibited. No material that can be constructed as harassment or disparament of others based on their race, national origins, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or political belief will be tolerated.
v Refrain from obscenities, stolen materials or illegally acquired copyright work.
v Engage in no criminal activity or violate the schools’ code of conduct. The system must not be used to encourage the use of drugs.
v Not engage in network games or anonymous messaging. They must not send spam, chain letters or other unauthorized mails.
v Must not buy, sell, advertise or conduct business on the school computer resources for commercial or individual financial gain. Commercial, political or personal use unrelated to an educational purpose is strictly prohibited.
v Sign and parents must cosign the AUP which must bare the school’s emblem and the official school stamp.
v Not breech this contract on any component within or you will be subject to disciplinary action, revocation of the user account and legal actions may be taken.
v Be aware that all internet user activities are monitored and that their e-mail privacy is subject to scrutiny.
The Unacceptable Use Section
Students must remember that all unauthorized sites are off limits. Only educational sites are permissible. Student bloggers are available for sending, forwarding and posting of information. Yahoo, g-mail and hotmail site usage are not permitted unless they are specified by your teacher or network administrator. Downloading of unauthorized material may result in computer viruses and are not permitted. No chat rooms and term paper vendors must be solicited.
Violations and Sanctions.
Violation of any of the above policies will result in disciplinary actions. The severity of the offence is to be determined by the teacher, network administrator or administration. The school’s disciplinary matrix will be used to guide disciplinary actions. Breach of the AUP contract is a legal offence punishable in a court of law. The Principal however reserves the right to make the final decisions. Punishable offences may range from detention, suspension, school community service or denial of privileges to use of computer facilities.
Agreement: I understand that the above is a non-exhaustive list of activities that will not be tolerated, and that violations may result in the loss of my account privileges as well as other disciplinary or legal actions can be taken against me.
Guardian ------------------------------ Date: -----------------------
Student ------------------------------- Date: -----------------------
References:
Acceptable use policies. http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/AUP/home.shtml Retrieved 14th November 2007.
Bergeson, T. Developing an acceptable use policy. http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/OET/internet-safety-guidelines.shtml Retrieved 14th November 2007.
Acceptable Use Policies. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+22.1-70.2 Retrieved 14th November 2007.
Model Acceptable Use Policy. Information Technology Resources in the Schools. http://www.cybercrime.gov/rules/acceptableUsePolicy.htm Retrieved 15th November 2007.
Cromwell, S. (2007). Getting started on the internet: Developing an acceptable use policy. http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml Retrieved 15th November 2007
Acceptable use policies. http://www.isafe.org/imgs/pdf/education/AUPs.pdf Retrieved 15th November 2007
Acceptable use policies. http://www.netc.org/planning/planning/aup.php Retrieved 15th November 2007
Acceptable use policies for internet use. .http://www.mediaawareness.ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/wa_resources/wa_teachers/backgrounders/acceptable_use.cfm Retrieved 16th November 2007.
Acceptable use policy
.http://www.classroom.com/community/connection/howto/aup.jhtml Retrieved 17th November 2007.
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