Working with the Web

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Acceptable use Agreements

Acceptable use kits for schools legal advice

The following internet acceptable use kit templates can be modified by a school to describe:

  • the ways in which the school provides its duty of care to their students with online, mobile and portable technologies
  • the expected behaviours of students in an online context (This should align with the schools Student Code of Conduct)
  • strategies and information for parents to ensure that they are able to support their children using the Internet at home

While these templates can assist schools to support students and staff in their use of technologies, schools need to actively involve students and parents in the development and implementation of their schools' agreement

When using these templates:

  • it is important that the ways in the school delivers its duty of care for students working online is stated, communicated and current;
  • the acceptable use policy should be published in school newsletters and on school websites, and should be regularly reviewed; and
  • completed acceptable use agreements should be signed by students* and their parents/guardians and be kept on file at the school.

It is understood that the agreements signed by students are not legally binding, and that the requirement for students to sign is a way of raising awareness that there are issues associated with technology use which need to be considered.

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Schools Duty of Care when using online spaces

 

The following statement is provided by the DEECD Legal Services:

“Providing and supervising the use of technology which allows access to messaging services and to the internet raises an area of considerable risk for Schools. Meeting the duty of care owed to students in the context of risks related to use of and supervision of technology at school - or at home where that equipment is provided by the school or used at the direction of the school – will require schools to take positive, reasonable steps to protect the student from the risks. The acceptable use kits will be an important component of demonstrating that such positive, reasonable steps have been taken.”

The kits contain:

  • Part A: an agreement which students and parents are asked to sign covering use of technology (computers + internet), mobile phone, iPods or other mobile devices;
  • Part B: a statement for schools to provide to parents outlining the school’s support for responsible and ethical use of technology;
  • Part C: information and advice for parents.

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Primary and Secondary Internet Acceptable Use Kits

These acceptable use kits outline policy on internet use at schools

Primary School Internet Acceptable Use Kit (Word - 77Kb)

Secondary School Internet Acceptable Use Kit (Word - 59Kb)

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Primary and Secondary Internet and Mobile Phone Acceptable Use Kits

These acceptable use kits outline policy around both internet use and mobile technologies such as mobile phones, iPhones, digital cameras etc

Primary Internet and Mobile Acceptable Use Kit (Word - 86Kb)

Secondary Internet and Mobile Acceptable Use Kit (Word - 77Kb)

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Primary and Secondary Internet, Mobile Phone and NetBook (one to one device) Acceptable Use Kits

These acceptable use kits outline policy around the use of one to one devices such as the NetBook trials, one to one programs run in individual schools and addresses Internet use, mobile technologies such as mobile phones, iPhones, digital cameras etc and technologies such as NetBooks or notebooks which travel between home and school.

Primary Internet, Mobile, NetBook Acceptable Use Kit (Word - 83Kb)

Secondary Internet, Mobile, NetBook Acceptable Use Kit (Word - 79Kb)

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Online and mobile technologies for all school users including Staff

See Staff Code of Conduct

The DEECD Acceptable Use Policy outlines appropriate use of the Department's electronic communications. This policy applies to all users of the Department's information, communication and technology systems, which includes students.

It was not written with students or parents as the audience but the principles do apply to student use of the schools computer technologies including the network.

For more information, see the Department's Acceptable Use Policy (PDF - 68Kb)

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