AUP GSS 2017

The Graydon Sealy Secondary

1st Edition

Introduction

Connection to the Internet, through a connection from a school, is a privilege, not a right. As such, all persons who desire to use a connection to the Internet from a school must know and adhere to the guidelines set out by that school. Users must also be aware of the consequences that are attached if and when that privilege is abused. As a result, the objectives of this document are to:

-define the term Acceptable Use Policy

-explain why AUP is important to this school

-outline responsible use

-outline unacceptable use

-outline sanctions for violations of AUP

-provide Posters and Videos of AUP

Definition of AUP

An acceptable use policy (AUP) is a policy that outlines, in writing, how a school or district expects its community members to behave with technology (Common Sense, 2017).

For more in depth definitions of AUP, click on the image below (a new tab will open).

Why AUP?

An AUP informs users of the services offered by the school and the circumstances under which they should be used.

The services offered by the Graydon Saly School (GSS) are a wired and wireless network that connects users to the internet. The wired network may also be used to connect users to the printers only. Other services include use of computers, laptops, printers, scanners, projectors and digital cameras.

The circumstances under which students use the computers in the computer lab are on occasions when a teacher has booked “lab time” through the Information Technology Coordinator (ITC). Lab time is restricted to teaching periods only. Students also use the computers in the computer lab during lunch times on Tuesdays and Thursdays, under the supervision of the ITC. Outside of this, students are not allowed to use the wired or wireless networks of the school. Students are allowed to use the printers to print documents a a fee of 25 cents per page.

Teachers, on the other hand, are allowed to use the computers in the computer lab or the wireless network throughout the working day. Teachers are also allowed to use the printers to print without charge, however they must bring their own paper. Teachers are also allowed to use the other digital devices mentioned afore, once available.

Acceptable Use

Students have limited use of the computer network and computers / laptops for educational purposes only. Educational purposes mean activities or materials to benefit teachers and children within an educational context. Hence, the school’s network is to only be used to:

prepare electronic documents / spreadsheets pertaining to school
engage / create games pertaining to teacher specified learning activities / outcomes
research topics / themes / terms from assignments

Unacceptable Use

This section outlines and give examples of unacceptable use of the school’s network and digital devices by students. Unacceptable use includes but is not limited to:

installing software not owned or authorized by the school
transmitting any material in violation of any government regulation , including copyrighted material, threatening, harassing, offensive or obscene material
commercial activities for profit or nonprofit institutions
removing or damaging computers, laptops, or any other part or equipment
deleting or copying or moving any folders, work, or files that are not yours
hacking or attempting unauthorized access to computers, laptops, computer or wireless network

Sanctions

In the unfortunate event that suspicious or prohibited material is unintentionally received

or displayed or retrieved by a student or teacher, the user will alert the ITC and follow their instructions. If the ITC is unavailable, the user will attempt to close the program with the offensive material. To avoid such unfortunate events from happening, students need to be aware of basic Internet safety rules. The following rules were taken from Lawrence J. Magid's "My Rules for Online Safety."

"I will tell my teacher (parents) right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my teacher (parents)."

If a student uses the computers, laptops, and or computer network in a way that is deemed inappropriate by the ITC, that student will lose the use of the computer / laptop / network for an entire week for the first instance. In the second instance, they would lose the use for a term or part thereof. In the third instance, they will lose use for a term or part thereof and their parents will be called to a meeting to attempt to settle the matter.

Posters / Videos

the following short video clip reinforces the major rules in most Acceptable Use Policies.