Procedure

Procedure 5780.2 - Student Information & Communication (ICT) Access And Use Parameters

1. EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

School District No. 36 (Surrey) believes that student learning will be augmented and enhanced through the use of information and communication technology (ICT). The ability for students, parents, staff and the larger community to access information and knowledge, to communicate with each other and to learn with each other is enhanced and extended through opportunities provided by ICT.

Goals for the use of ICT and online learning environments include enriching, enhancing, and facilitating:

a)	Communication for the purpose of improving student learning.
b)	The construction and exchange of knowledge and representation.
c)	Flexibility and equity for diverse learners.
d)	The ongoing development of common standards for student learning.
e)	Human and social development.

1.1.	All students will have access to the internet and World Wide Web information resources through their classroom, library, or school computer lab.
1.2.	Students may be provided with individual e-mail accounts for specific educational purposes.
1.3.	Students, having received instruction and guidance in the ethical and safe uses of ICT, will conduct themselves online with the same level of appropriate behaviour as in all contexts of the school community; whether accessing online environments at school, at home or in another location.

2. ETHICAL GUIDELINES

2.1.

School District No. 36 (Surrey) has adopted Regulation #5780.2 - Student Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Access and Use Parameters to set guidelines for students who access technology services offered by the district. These services include the use of computers, networks, other technology equipment, and any computer software licensed to the district, e- mail and the Internet. Use of these services requires that the students review this regulation and agree to comply with its contents.

2.2.

Student work may be published on district provided student, school or district web pages following the guidelines set forth in Regulation #5780.3 – School, Staff and Student Website Parameters.

2.3.

Student communications within the context of district technology as a medium are deemed to take place in an educational setting, similar to the school newspaper or yearbook. Content should be governed appropriately.

2.4.

Responsibilities as a member of an online learning community:
Students will:

a)	Use the system only for educational activities.
b)	Be courteous and communicate online with the same level of respect as in face to face situations.
c)	Subscribe only to discussion group mail lists that are relevant to their education.
d)	Refrain from downloading large files, unless absolutely necessary.
e)	Check e-mail regularly, delete unwanted messages promptly, and stay within the allotted disk quota limit.
f)	Refrain from posting chain letters or engage in “spamming”.
g)	Respect copyright law.

Students will not:

a)	Use Surrey school district’s technology for commercial purposes. This means students may not offer, provide or purchase products using district technology.
b)	Use district technology for illegal or inappropriate purposes, or in support of such activities.
c)	Use obscene, profane, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language. Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to public messages, private messages, and material posted on web pages.
d)	Post information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption.
e)	Engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.
f)	Plagiarize the work of others.
g)	Use district technology to access material that is profane or obscene, that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination.

2.5.

If students have mistakenly accessed inappropriate information, they should immediately inform their teacher or another school district employee.

3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Students will:
a)	Be responsible for their individual accounts and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their accounts.
b)	Immediately notify a teacher or principal if they have identified a possible security problem.
c)	Promptly disclose to their teacher or other school district employee any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
d)	Avoid the inadvertent spread of computer viruses by following the school district virus protection recommendations.
e)	Avoid keeping an online session open when they leave a computer.
Students will not:

a)	Post personal contact information about themselves or other people.
b)	Agree to meet with someone they contact online.
c)	Attempt to gain unauthorized or illegal access to data, servers, or external services, or go beyond their authorized access.
d)	Make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by creating or spreading computer viruses, or by any other means.
e)	Install any software or alter the computer equipment set up by the Information Management Services Department.
f)	The district reserves the right to monitor student use of district technology. A search and investigation of any student’s technology account will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated this regulation, or related policy and regulations.

Approved:	2004-10-26
XRef:	Policy #9410