Internet
Acceptable Use Policy
The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that pupils will
benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school's Internet
resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is
considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is
not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions as
outlined in the AUP will be imposed.
It is envisaged that school and parent representatives will revise the
AUP annually. Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to indicate
that the conditions of use are accepted and understood.
This version of the AUP was created on May 9th , 2003 by:-
Sean Fitzpatrick, John Blackburn, Noel Clancy, Michael Quirke,
Siobhan Landers, Brid Collins, Caroline O'Donoghue, Noreen Ryan,
Maura Quinlan.
School's Strategy
The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise
learning
opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These
strategies are as follows:
General
Internet sessions will be supervised by a teacher.
·Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to
minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
·The school will regularly monitor pupils' Internet usage.
·Internet usage is logged.
· Each student has a personal user logon to the system. It is his/her
responsibility to log off their computer after use to prevent others using
their account.
· Students and teachers will be provided with training in the area of
Internet safety.
· Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
· Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
· The use of personal floppy disks or CD-ROMs in school requires a teacher's
permission.
· Students will observe good "netiquette" (i.e., etiquette on the Internet)
at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school
into disrepute.
World Wide Web
· Students will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal,
hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
· Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
· Students will be familiar with copyright issues relating to online
learning.
· Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.
· Students will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving
information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual
activity, security and/or network management reasons.
Email
·Students will use approved class email accounts under supervision by or
permission from a teacher.
·Students will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene,
defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
·Students will not reveal their own or other people's personal details, such
as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.
·Students will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone.
·Students will note that sending and receiving email attachments is subject
to permission from their teacher.
·All email sent or received in school is subject to scrutiny by the teacher.
Internet Chat
· Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or
other electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school.
· Chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communication forums
will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
· Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
· Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat will be
forbidden.
School Website
· Pupils may be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or
school work on the World Wide Web.
· The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.
· Pupils' work will appear in an educational context on Web pages with a
copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express
written permission.
· Digital photographs, audio or video clips of individual students will not
be published on the school website. Instead photographs, audio and video
clips will focus on group activities. Video clips may be password protected.
· Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will
be omitted from school web pages.
Legislation
The school will provide information on the following legislation relating
to use of the
Internet which teachers, students and parents should familiarise themselves
with:
· Child Trafficking and Pornography Bill 1997
· 1993 Interception Act
· Video Recordings Act 1989
· The Data Protection Act 1988
Support Structures
The school will inform students and parents of key support structures and
organisations
that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet.
Sanctions
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including
written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases,
suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any
illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
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