Network Policy

Note: This policy includes a summation of the rules by which students and staff are expected to abide when using the Network and ICT facilities at ARIS.

Definition

'The Network' denotes the ARIS Intranet, Local Area Network (LAN) and access to the Internet by whatever means or device (eg desktop, laptop, tablet, phablet, smartphone).

Aims

The Network is an educational resource enabling a learning environment where students and teachers:

  • integrate online access with their approaches to teaching and learning
  • have immediate access to abundant information resources, using them to their full potential
  • can themselves make continuous improvements to the learning process
  • are abreast of, and can participate in contemporary developments, discussions, trends, ideas and innovations
  • can engage in distance teaching and learning, and pursue courses online that are not available face-to-face within the school
  • minimize negative impacts on the environment
  • acquire, exercise, share and improve IT skills appropriate to education in the digital age.

Objectives

  • To give access to online information in general, and the Internet in particular, to students and staff
  • To ensure that access is secure, economical and appropriate
  • To ensure that the information gathered is used appropriately.

Acceptable use guidelines

  • All students must conform to current school rules in terms of acceptable behaviour and the use of school facilities.
  • Behaviour on the Network must be in support of education and research and must be consistent with the educational aims and objectives of ARIS.
  • Students are personally responsible and accountable for what they say and do while using the Network.

Because communication with thousands of others is so quick and easy, it is important for students to reflect before acting and to show respect for other people and their ideas.

  • Students should not attempt to pass off Internet information as their own. This amounts to academic dishonesty. They must acknowledge the source(s) of information and respect the intellectual property of others in compliance with the school’s Academic Honesty Policy.
  • The student is alone responsible for the security of his or her password. It should never be given to others.
  • When searching for material on the Internet, students should ask themselves 'Would I be happy to show this to my teacher or parent?' If the answer is no, they should probably not be searching for that material.
  • Software downloads are not allowed without the authorisation of the ICT Department.
  • Students should always be able to give a satisfactory educational reason to a teacher for their use of the Network in general and the Internet in particular.
  • The use of the Network is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use will mean loss of access.

Netiquette (Email)

There is a code of behaviour (netiquette) when sending an email―some universal rules exist because they save misunderstanding and maintain privacy. Other rules help other users avoid wasting valuable time. Students should:

  • Check email frequently.
  • Keep messages in their mailbox to a minimum.
  • Include their name and school at the foot of external email messages, but never give their home address, phone number or photograph.
  • Not post addresses or phone numbers of peers or staff. Students may use the school address but should remember that in doing so they represent the school and are responsible for its reputation.
  • Think carefully before sending a message. Is it really necessary? Does the recipient need it?
  • Always ask themselves whether or not those other people to whom the message has been copied really need to receive it. What is the other person or people expected to do in response to their copy of the message? Is their time just being wasted? Is their inbox being cluttered with things of no importance or relevance to them?
  • Ensure that the default reply behaviour setting is ‘Reply’, not ‘Reply All’.
  • Remember that some or all of the message can easily be forwarded to others, and can remain on a computer system until the end of time.
  • Attribute any quotations to the author or source.
  • Avoid emotive language.
  • Use capitals according to the rules of punctuation. Excessive use of capital is ‘shouting’.
  • Ensure the subject line relates to the exact topic of the particular message and is as short and clear as possible.
  • Not send personal (one-to-one) messages to discussion lists or newsgroups. It is wasting the time of those for whom the message is not intended, and may be embarrassing.
  • Be mindful that Network managers have the right to read emails if there is any question of wrongdoing.
  • Be mindful that information and application programmes contained on the Network are placed there for the general use of students and school personnel. Any unauthorised use of the software (including copying, downloading or uploading), materials, or other information from school-owned equipment in any form is not allowed.