The aim of this policy statement is to provide guidance to students, staff and parents on the acceptable use of the Internet in the teaching and learning programs of this school. This policy addresses the safe management and effective use of the Internet connection at Griffith High School. This policy needs to be used in conjunction with the:

Department of Education and Training's Computers in Schools Policy
School Policies on Anti-Racism, Anti-Discrimination, Discipline and Key Learning Areas
Memorandum to Principals (97/110) - Student Access to the Internet
Memorandum to Principals (97/234) - School Publishing on the Internet
Child Protection Policy

The Internet is a world-wide network connecting millions of university, government, commercial and private computers. In other words, it can be described as an electronic "Information Superhighway". Anyone with access to the Internet can readily share information and communicate with people anywhere in the world who have similar access.

For Educationalists, the Internet is a constantly changing environment that can effectively extend teaching and learning beyond the classroom for all students. It offers a wealth of information from many different sources and in many formats. It provides boundless opportunities to develop students' skills in communications, information processing and publishing. The Internet is not only a student-centred learning tool which encourages collaboration, creativity, problem solving and critical thinking, it is also a tool which can be highly motivating for students to use.

Unfortunately, access to the Internet also allows access to material that may be inappropriate for students to view. Since the staff at Griffith High School believe that the information and interaction available through this worldwide network is of great educational value, such a consideration must outweigh the risks that users may access adult or deviant material. Even though access to the Internet is via the connection provided by the Department of School Education which uses filtering software, this in no way abrogates the school's responsibility of providing adequate supervision whenever students access the Internet.

This policy addresses the following:

Developing Information and Communication Skills

• Students will not copy and publish any material from the internet without first editing and acknowledging all references and sources
• All supervising teachers will ensure students are utilising the Information Skills Process to conduct searches upon the Internet (as contained in Information Skills in the School [NSW DSE, 1989] and Connect Edu - Internet in Teaching and Learning [NSW DSE, 1997], pp.28-32), and are using appropriate skills to define, locate, select, organise, present and assess information

The Safety and Privacy of Students and Staff

• This school will not provide identifying data (ie. address or any other information) that describes the personal situation or location of students, staff or community members
• Written permission from parents/guardians, staff and community members will be obtained before photographs or the full name of individuals are published on the Internet
• Students may access E-mail accounts (eg. Yahoo mail etc) only at lunchtime. The only exception being Yr 10, 11 and 12 students in Computing Studies classes who need access at all times as part of the communication topic which is a requirement of the DET syllabus
• Students will be warned about providing personal information about themselves or others across the Internet through school or home connections. It is very difficult to ensure that people are whom they claim to be
• It is the responsibility of all users to ensure that all passwords remain confidential and are known only to their rightful owners
• All users must abide by the Code of Conduct which is outlined below.

Management of Internet Access

• Parents/guardians and students must read and sign the Internet Code of Conduct Agreement before Internet access is permitted
• The role of the Internet Administrators must be negotiated and Training and Development opportunities must be provided
• Only the Internet Administrators will have access to passwords
• Staff at Griffith High School will be provided with the opportunity to be in-serviced regarding 'netiquette' protocols and a range of supervisory strategies
• The school will provide adequate supervision to restrict access to inappropriate materials and deal responsibly with situations where inappropriate materials have been accessed (See Student Access - Developing a School Internet Policy [NSW DSE, 1997] pp. 6-8)
• Students who access the Internet for E-mail will be taught 'netiquette' and be made aware of legal and ethical implications of inappropriate behaviour
• E-mail messages will be transmitted under teacher supervision
• Access to the Internet will only be given to users who have booked a time slot for bona fide research purposes
• Recreational use of the Internet will be made available at Lunchtime in the Library to students who have booked
• The School Computer Policy outlines the use of floppy disks and their implication for viruses. Such guidelines will apply to the use of the Internet service
• Downloads will only take place if permission has been given by the Internet Administrators
• The virus checker will be used on a regular basis

Equity of Access

• An introductory session on Internet use will be given by the Teacher Librarian to all staff
• The Teacher Librarian will assist students on how to use the Internet for research purposes
• The School/Library Internet service will be provided free of charge to all school community members

Security

• Access to the Internet will be managed by the Internet Administrators
• A login system will be used to control access to the Internet. Only individuals who have logged in will be allocated to a numbered computer and the sign in time will be recorded beside their name
• Individuals will be held accountable for any infringements which are detected as having taken place during their login time on an allocated computer

Legal requirements and Copyright

• Any material accessed from the Internet will be acknowledged
• All current copyright provisions will be adhered to

Staff Responsibilities

The use of the Internet should be incorporated into student learning programs.

Supervising staff should ensure that students use the Internet and e-mail facilities in an acceptable and responsible way (ie. as set out in the Code of Conduct).

Parental Responsibilities

Parents and guardians will be encouraged, through the newsletter and parent associations, to discuss the Code of Conduct with their children.

Student Responsibilities

All students will have access to the World Wide Web and E-mail. Students must take personal responsibility for ensuring that they use the Internet and E-mail facilities in an acceptable way (ie. as set out in the Code of Conduct).

In the event that inappropriate material is accessed by accident, the site should be closed at once and the user should inform supervising staff.

Students will only be given access to the Internet if they have booked a time slot on numbered computers.

Students will use the Internet during school time mainly as a tool for school based research. Recreational use of the Internet will be made available at lunchtime in the Library for students who have booked.

Students will not deliberately seek out, create or receive material that is racist, sexist, offensive or abusive in any way.

Students will not break copyright law by copying another person's work from the Internet and pass it off as their own.

Students will not access Chat lines.

Students will not interfere with the computer settings, or the work of any other student saved onto the hard disk.

Students will not download any programs without the permission of the supervising teacher or the librarian.

Students who access the Internet for E-mail will be taught 'Netiquette' and be made aware of legal and ethical implications of inappropriate behaviour.

Students will not put any details about themselves or any other person onto the Internet
(ie. Do not reveal personal addresses, phone numbers or passwords).

Students will access E-mail only at lunchtime, unless given permission by their teacher or the librarian.

Students will inform supervising teachers immediately if any material is accidentally found which makes them feel uncomfortable or is inappropriate.

References

NSW Dept. of School Education. Developing a School Internet Policy (1997)

This policy, in keeping with Griffith High School's ongoing planning and reporting process, will be reviewed annually by the School's Technology Committee and will then be endorsed by the staff, the P & C Association and the School Council.

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right.

FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THIS POLICY WILL MEAN LOSING THE PRIVILEGE OF USING THE INTERNET