Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy

Purpose

• To use ICT confidently and creatively to help develop the skills and knowledge needed to achieve personal goals and to be full participants in the global community.
• To create a learning culture that keeps pace with changes and equips all with the knowledge, skills, ideas and values they need to become lifelong learners able to use information effectively; adapt to changing workplace and social environments; and keep abreast of technological advances.

Objectives

1. Show confidence and skill in using available ICT for everyday and special purposes e.g. computer, digital camera, mobile phone, and photocopier
2. Learn widely applicable techniques that they can put to use with various technologies.
3. Enjoy and participate in a range of technological experiences.
4. Recognise the uses of ICT in the world around them and know about the impact of ICT on people’s lives.
5. Investigate ICT and evaluate its suitability for particular purposes by using problem solving strategies.
6. Integrate ICT into their whole learning process.

Guidelines

1. The school’s cybersafety practices are to be based on information contained in the latest version of the NetSafe® Kit for Schools, which is endorsed by the NZ Ministry of Education as best practice for New Zealand schools.
2. No individual may use the school Internet facilities and school-owned/leased ICT devices/equipment in any circumstances unless the appropriate use agreement has been signed and returned to the school. Use agreements also apply to the use of privately-owned/leased ICT devices/equipment on the school site, or at/for any school-related activity, regardless of its location. This includes off-site access to the school network from school or privately-owned/leased equipment.
3. Warrington School use agreements will cover all board employees, all students (including adult and community), and any other individuals authorised to make use of the school Internet facilities and ICT devices/equipment, such as teacher trainees, external tutors and providers, contractors, and other special visitors to the school.
4. The use agreements are also an educative tool and should be used as a resource for the professional development of staff.
5. .Use of the Internet and the ICT devices/equipment by staff, students and other approved users at Warrington School is to be limited to educational, professional development, and personal usage appropriate in the school environment, as defined in individual use agreements.
6. Signed use agreements will be filed in a secure place, and an appropriate system devised which facilitates confirmation that particular individuals are authorised to make use of the Internet and ICT devices/equipment.
7. The school has the right to monitor access and review all use. This includes personal emails sent and received on the schools computer/s and/or network facilities at all times.
8. The school has the right to audit at anytime any material on equipment that is owned or leased by the school. The school may also request permission to audit privately owned ICT devices/equipment used on the school site or at any school related activity.
9. Issues relating to confidentiality, such as sighting student or staff information, reasons for collecting data and the secure storage of personal details and information (including images) will be subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act 1993.
10. The safety of children is of paramount concern. Any apparent breach of cybersafety will be taken seriously. The response to individual incidents will follow the procedures developed as part of the school’s cybersafety practices. In serious incidents, advice will be sought from an appropriate source, such NetSafe, the New Zealand School Trustees Association and/or a lawyer with specialist knowledge in this area. There will be special attention paid to the need for specific procedures regarding the gathering of evidence in potentially serious cases. If illegal material or activities are suspected, the matter may need to be reported to the relevant law enforcement agency.

Procedures

• All children and staff are encouraged to use the equipment in a safe and caring manner.
• Access and use of teacher's laptops at home and school is at the prudent discretion of the teacher.
• The use of ICT equipment will be used by all for purposes that are within keeping of this educational setting. No inappropriate use. If in doubt, find out.
• Contravening copyright laws is a not permitted. If in doubt, find out.
• All computers are set up so screens face into the classroom and access to Internet is through a password.
• If inappropriate material is inadvertently accessed remove from screen and record details with another staff member and place details at the office.
• Passwords for accessing the Internet and server are confidential to the user.
• The school Internet is unfiltered allowing for all to learn the effective use of the internet through protective protocols and self monitoring
• The use of the school’s ICT equipment will be age appropriate

1. Year 1-3 learning the basic rules of computer use; turn on/off, save and having access to programs that are educationally challenging. Access to the internet will be under direct supervision
2. Year 3-6 saving into own folder on server, using a variety of more complex applications, researching on the net, using the camera, manipulating data/images, using and setting up computer operating systems
3. Year 7-8 will have access to all school equipment to use and have established an email account with parental knowledge and use a variety of applications to present their work

REVIEW

  1. This policy will be reviewed according to the Board’s self review timetable.
  2. All changes can be tracked via this wiki history tab. 

Signatures:

• NathanP 01:26, 15 October 2010 (UTC)