Internet Policy

Policy

We are pleased to be able to offer students at Copacabana Public School the opportunity to access the Internet through the school computer network. We now have a computer in each room, linked to the network, as well as a "mini-lab" and the Technology Lab. adjoining the library.
Access to the Internet allows students to explore thousands of libraries and databases throughout the world. It extends teaching and learning beyond the four walls of the classroom and it promotes student confidence in using a variety of computer based technologies. The Internet supports student based learning, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and promotes the development of information and communication skills. The multimedia presentation of the Internet suits a range of teaching and learning styles and is highly motivational for students. It is our intention to use the Internet to further educational goals and objectives.
Families, however, should be warned that some material accessible by the Internet may contain items which are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. Safeguards are in place at this school to reduce the possibility of accessing inappropriate materials. As well as having strict Departmental filters and monitoring, students must use authenticated access requiring a User Name & secret password. Internet access and sites visited are also monitored by teaching staff.

Students are taught to use email appropriately following the Department of Educations decision to provide all students with a personal email account. Emails sent from school are monitored and filtered by the Department - anything deemed to be inappropriate is blocked and returned to the school.
Consistent inappropriate use of email may result in a student losing access to their account for a period of time.

We encourage students, teachers, parents and guardians to share the responsibility for setting and conveying the standards which should be followed when using media, email and information sources.

The school is extremely proud of the responsible attitude demonstrated by the students at Copacabana when using the Internet and email.

Guidelines for the use of Technology

Students are responsible for their own behaviour whilst using computers and the Internet. This includes the sites they choose to access and treatment of the equipment.
Computers are to be used for educational purposes. Permission to use the Internet for "games" and other "fun" activities must be gained from the supervising teacher and is generally restricted to lunchtimes.
Copyright laws must be respected. Information copied from another source must be acknowledged.
Permission must be gained from the supervising teacher before printing information.
Students should not deliberately access inappropriate sites. If offensive materials are accidentally encountered, it should be reported immediately to the supervising teacher.
No programme files may be downloaded from the Internet without permission.
No programmes or CD Roms may be brought from home for use in the school. The exception to this is school work completed on a floppy disk/cd by students. These disks must be scanned for viruses before use.
Students should not access other people's files unless permission has been given.
Student accessing of personal mail (excluding their DET account) and Chat groups are completely prohibited.
Students will follow the user agreement guidelines as set out by the Department when using their email accounts.
Under no circumstances should the name or personal details of any student be revealed on the Internet.
Food and drink is not to be consumed in either Lab. or near classroom computers.
Computers should be returned to the "log on" screen at the end of the session. Disks are to be removed from drives and returned to cases (if applicable) and the Labs left in a neat and tidy manner.

	Copacabana Public School Internet Policy

Policy We are pleased to be able to offer students at Copacabana Public School the opportunity to access the Internet through the school computer network. We now have a computer in each room, linked to the network, as well as a "mini-lab" and the Technology Lab. adjoining the library. Access to the Internet allows students to explore thousands of libraries and databases throughout the world. It extends teaching and learning beyond the four walls of the classroom and it promotes student confidence in using a variety of computer based technologies. The Internet supports student based learning, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and promotes the development of information and communication skills. The multimedia presentation of the Internet suits a range of teaching and learning styles and is highly motivational for students. It is our intention to use the Internet to further educational goals and objectives. Families, however, should be warned that some material accessible by the Internet may contain items which are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. Safeguards are in place at this school to reduce the possibility of accessing inappropriate materials. As well as having strict Departmental filters and monitoring, students must use authenticated access requiring a User Name & secret password. Internet access and sites visited are also monitored by teaching staff. Students are taught to use email appropriately following the Department of Educations decision to provide all students with a personal email account. Emails sent from school are monitored and filtered by the Department - anything deemed to be inappropriate is blocked and returned to the school. Consistent inappropriate use of email may result in a student losing access to their account for a period of time. We encourage students, teachers, parents and guardians to share the responsibility for setting and conveying the standards which should be followed when using media, email and information sources. The school is extremely proud of the responsible attitude demonstrated by the students at Copacabana when using the Internet and email. Guidelines for the use of Technology Students are responsible for their own behaviour whilst using computers and the Internet. This includes the sites they choose to access and treatment of the equipment. Computers are to be used for educational purposes. Permission to use the Internet for "games" and other "fun" activities must be gained from the supervising teacher and is generally restricted to lunchtimes. Copyright laws must be respected. Information copied from another source must be acknowledged. Permission must be gained from the supervising teacher before printing information. Students should not deliberately access inappropriate sites. If offensive materials are accidentally encountered, it should be reported immediately to the supervising teacher. No programme files may be downloaded from the Internet without permission. No programmes or CD Roms may be brought from home for use in the school. The exception to this is school work completed on a floppy disk/cd by students. These disks must be scanned for viruses before use. Students should not access other people's files unless permission has been given. Student accessing of personal mail (excluding their DET account) and Chat groups are completely prohibited. Students will follow the user agreement guidelines as set out by the Department when using their email accounts. Under no circumstances should the name or personal details of any student be revealed on the Internet. Food and drink is not to be consumed in either Lab. or near classroom computers. Computers should be returned to the "log on" screen at the end of the session. Disks are to be removed from drives and returned to cases (if applicable) and the Labs left in a neat and tidy manner.