School Management

 

Management of Internet Resources

Schools should be aware that the increased bandwidth that has become available through the VicSmart broadband network will improve schools' Internet response times and will allow the delivery of greater volumes of Internet content, thereby potentially increasing costs if not managed appropriately.

Several strategies to manage internet traffic have been developed by the Department’s Information Technology Division to assist schools.

Each strategy has been outlined below.

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Extending your school's use of the EduPaSS Server

Each school has been provided with an Edupass server. It is managed centrally and is there to assist schools manage their Internet traffic.

Features include:

  • Storing pages (caching) frequently used to ensure that a school doesn't pay for it each time they visit.
  • Blocking types of content which incur high cost such as MP3 music files where the cost of download is high.
  • Reports to assist your school facilitate traffic monitoring.

Information on the use and correct configuration of EduPaSS is available in the DoE Tech Room forum (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/techroom/forums/64/showforum.aspx). Note, this is a secure site. Your Edumail logon and password is required to access this site.

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Utilising appropriate domain name services (DNS) and proxy exclusions

Instruct your specialist technician that the appropriate DNS is to be used by all computers in the school and use the EduPaSS server to ensure that correct Proxy Exclusions are used. 

This ensures that all DE&T central resources are accessed via VicSmart at no charge to the school. 

Frequently schools are accessing DE&T central resources via their school ISP which generates additional download costs. The DNS for VicSmart is 10.180.1.1

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Planning classroom activities when accessing internet resources

Encourage teachers to structure classroom activities accessing Internet resources with regard to cost impacts. The Victorian Education Channel team takes traffic volume into account when evaluating sites for inclusion in the EduList.

While interesting online activities can provide a rich and worthwhile learning opportunity for students, it is important to remember that some of these resources can attract high download costs and therefore the use of such materials must be managed.

Schools may wish to review their Internet Acceptable Use Policy and bring it to the attention of school community members.

Checking the top sites viewed within the school regularly can show how the Internet is being used within the school.

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Speak to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to determine the most suitable internet plan

You are encouraged to speak with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to discuss your current Internet plan, its cost effectiveness and how well it meets your school’s needs.

Your ISP will have the history of your usage, which should be reviewed regularly against your plan so as to examine ways to save the school costs.