All students have access to the school's extensive computer system by means of a ‘Login Name' and a password.
Your computer account is your responsibility. You should make yourself familiar with the school's computer policy on the School's Intranet (Excerpt below). Your account will be disabled for non-observance of the rules set out in this policy.
If you tell other students your password then they can use your account. This means they can:
Passwords will only be changed by the teacher on duty at lunchtimes.
Printing at Urangan State High School is a consumable charged to users. Members of the Shared Resource Scheme are provided with credits depending on their subject selections. Other students are required to pay for print credits at the rate of $2.00 per 20 pages. This is payable to the office.
Access to the Internet at school is a privilege, not a right. Your parents must complete a permission form to obtain access. The Internet is not a free service. The school provides a nominal credit for Shared Resource Scheme members. Additional access is provided after payment of $5.00 to the office.
The school's intranet provides a wealth of information from 'How do I' to 'Assignment Policies'. This is available to all students.
All students have an email account. All email is filtered for bad language. Inappropriate use will result in cancellation of email accounts.
School Computer Policy as stated on IntraNet
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS
on SCHOOL NETWORK USAGE
Why are schools providing students access to ICT facilities?
To ensure young Queenslanders are well equipped to contribute fully to the information economy, the education sector is responding to the innovation directions of the Smart State Strategy (http://www.smartstate.qld.gov.au/) through the Smart Classrooms: A Strategy for 2005-2007 http://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/strategy/. This strategy focuses innovative programs and resources towards schools, teachers and students. An essential tool for schools in the provision of innovative educational programs is the utilisation of intranet, internet and network services. Therefore, access to these technologies is an increasingly essential part of the modern educational program provided in schools.
What is acceptable/appropriate use/behaviour by a student?
It is acceptable for students to use school computers and network infrastructure for: assigned class work and assignments set by teachers; developing literacy, communication and information skills; authoring text, artwork, audio and visual material for publication on the Intranet or Internet, solely for educational purposes as supervised and approved by the school; conducting research for school activities and projects; communicating with other students, teachers, parents or experts in relation to school work; and access to online references such as dictionaries, encyclopaedias, etc. Students can also collaborate, research and learn through Education Queensland's e-learning environment.
What is unacceptable/inappropriate use/behaviour by a student?
It is unacceptable for students to: download, distribute or publish offensive messages or pictures; use obscene or abusive language to harass, insult or attack others; deliberately waste printing and Internet resources; damage computers, printers or the network equipment; violate copyright laws which includes plagiarism; use unsupervised internet chat; and use online e-mail services (e.g. hotmail), send chain letters or Spam e-mail (junk mail). Usernames and passwords are to be kept by the student and not divulged to any other individual (e.g. a student should not give their fellow students their username and password). Students can not use another student or staff member's username or password to access the school's network, including not trespassing in another person's files, home drive or e-mail. Additionally, students should not divulge personal information (e.g. name, parent's name, address), via the internet or e-mail, to unknown entities or for reasons other than to fulfil the educational program requirements of the school.
What is expected of schools when providing student's with access to ICT facilities?
Schools will provide information in relation to student access and usage of its network and reserves the right to restrict/remove student access to the intranet, extranet, internet or network facilities if parents or students do not adhere to the school's network usage and access guideline/statement.
Schools will prepare students for the possibility of unanticipated access to harmful information, materials or approaches from unknown persons via the internet (e.g. run through processes for disregarding (or ceasing access) to information, the process for reporting accidental access to harmful information and reporting approaches from unknown persons via the internet to the supervising teacher or school staff member).
Where possible, classes involving internet usage by students will be prepared prior to class engagement, including, filtering and checking sites students are directed to visit. An assessment should be made of the appropriate timeframe for access to the internet for completing the set task or duration a student should have access to the internet (e.g. during schools hours, outside of school hours).
What awareness is expected of students and their parents?
Students and their parents should:
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understand the responsibility and behaviour requirements (as outlined by the school) that come with accessing the school's ICT network facilities and ensure they have the skills to report and discontinue access to harmful information if presented via the internet or e-mail;
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be aware:
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that the ICT facilities should be utilised with good behaviour as stipulated under the Code of School Behaviour;
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students breaking these rules will be subject to appropriate action by the school. This may include restricted network access for a period as deemed appropriate by the school;
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access to ICT facilities provides valuable learning experiences, therefore giving the student educational benefits in line with the school's educational program;
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the Internet gives access to information on and from a wide variety of organisations, subjects, people, places with origins from around the world; the school can not control information accessed through the internet; and information may be accessed or accidentally displayed which could be illegal, dangerous or offensive, with or without the student's immediate knowledge; and
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teachers will always exercise their duty of care, but protection, mitigation and discontinued access to harmful information requires responsible use by the student.
