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Acceptable Use Policy For Network Access & Electronic Communications

Preamble

Mooroopna Secondary College recognises that as telecommunications and other new technologies emerge, the methods in which information may be accessed, communicated and transferred are altered. Those changes will also alter methods of instruction and student learning. The College supports access by students to information rich resources whilst providing appropriate skills to analyse and evaluate such resources.

The College is pleased to offer students access to our computer network for electronic mail and the Internet. To gain access to e-mail and the Internet, all students must obtain parent/guardian permission as verified by the signatures on the 'Parent Permission Form For Network And Communications Agreement' obtained when enrolling. Should a parent/guardian prefer that a student not have e-mail and Internet access, the computer facilities will still be available for normal classwork use.

The College aims to encourage students to be competent and responsible users of technology and recognises the educational potential and benefits of widespread use of the Internet and e-mail by students. Permission is not transferable and may not be shared.

Access to e-mail and the Internet will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, museums, and other information sites and to communicate with other Internet users around the world. Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive. While the purpose of the College is to use Internet resources for constructive educational goals, students may find ways to access other materials. The College operates an extensive filtering system however, we will endeavour to monitor student access and provide restrictions to other such sites as they become apparent.

We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration exceed the disadvantages. Ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. Therefore, we support and respect each family's right to decide whether or not to apply for access.

What Is Expected

The resources must be used for education related tasks only. No abusive or impolite language may be used to communicate; materials should not be accessed which are not in line with this policy and the rules of behaviour at the College. Should students accidentally encounter such material, they should report it to their teacher or network administrator immediately.

Behaviour

Students are responsible for appropriate behaviour on College computer networks just as they are in a classroom. Communications on the network are often public in nature. General College rules for behaviour and communications apply. Access entails responsibility. Individual users of the College' computer networks are responsible for their own behaviour and communications over those networks. The users will comply with the College' Acceptable Use Policy and will honour the agreements they have signed. Access is a privilege, not a right.

Supervision Of Access

Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are using the system responsibly. Users should not expect that files stored on the College network will always be private. The College reserves the right to and will monitor any and/or all Internet and Internet related activity undertaken by students at the College including:

  1. Activity relating to its Internet and Intranet sites.
  2. Activity relating to Internet access.
  3. E-mail.
  4. Document/file storage.

Students who suspect their account has been tampered with should:

  1. Immediately change their password.
  2. Contact the network administrator with specific details.

Access

Students will be allocated an appropriate limit for Internet access sufficient for the year. When this limit has been exceeded Internet access and e-mail will not be available; students will need to pay to regain access during that year.

Storage Capacity

Users are expected to remain within the disk space allocated to them and delete e-mail or other files which take up excessive storage space. Files stored on the network must be related to subject use only.

Illegal Copying

Students should never download, install or make copies of any commercial software, shareware, or freeware onto network drives or disks, unless they have written permission from the Network Administrator. Students must not copy other people's work or intrude into other people's files.

Viruses

Students must not download executable files (ie software, .exe files) from the Internet without authorisation from the Network Administrator. After downloading any file the users should run a virus check before opening the file.

IRC and Internet Chat

Mooroopna Secondary College Students are NOT PERMITTED to participate in Internet Relay Chat groups or sessions unless a session has been specifically set up or organised by a classroom teacher as part of their school work.

Appropriate Use

Students may use the Internet to explore Internet resources in order to develop or enhance class related work. Appropriate activities include:

  1. Corresponding with students and contacts around the world via electronic mail.
  2. Connecting to resources that provide a variety of information.
  3. Exploring the Internet looking for information resources that would be useful in classes.

E-mail

Electronic mail is not a secure medium, particularly with email sent via the Internet. Students must not:

  1. Reveal their personal addresses, phone numbers or details, or those of other people in the College in any email/internet communication.
  2. Attempt to read another person's electronic mail or other protected files.
  3. Subscribe to Listservs concerned with purely personal interests, unconnected with their College work.

Penalties

Violations will result in loss of network and communications access. Additional disciplinary action may be imposed by the Coordinators in line with existing practice regarding inappropriate language or behaviour. Payment for repairs may be requested where applicable. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

Passwords

You should:

Specific Guidelines For Responsible Behaviour

These are guidelines to follow to prevent the loss of ALL network privileges at the College.

  1. Do not use a computer to harm other people or their work.
  2. Do not disrupt or interfere with the intended use of the College Intranet and/or the global Internet and/or resources.
  3. Do not damage the computer, the computer system or the network in any way.
  4. Do not interfere with the operation of the network by installing illegal software, shareware or freeware.
  5. Do not violate copyright laws.
  6. Do not view, send, or display offensive messages or pictures or use obscene or offensive language.
  7. Do not transmit communications that could be deemed harassment, an insult or an attack on other network users.
  8. Do not share your password with another person or use the password of another person.
  9. Do not waste limited resources such as disk space or printing capacity.
  10. Do not trespass in anothers folders, work, or files.
  11. Students should not knowingly violate any State, Commonwealth or International Law, or fail to comply with College policies or procedures.
  12. Do notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter materials which break the rules of appropriate use.

BE PREPARED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND FOR THE LOSS OF PRIVILEGES IF THE RULES OF APPROPRIATE USE ARE VIOLATED.