Mount Royal Acceptable Use Policy

Access

Electronic networkable devices and network access require teacher permission and supervision. Printing student work is permitted with staff permission. All students are eligible to receive a CBE e-mail account. By utilizing the school’s computers and / or the network, the following agreement is accepted.

Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources

The privilege to use devices and / networks is dependent on the level of responsibility shown by individual students. It is our intent to have all students access these tools for learning on an ongoing basis. At this point, the permitted tools are laptops, iPods, and iPads. Students are not allowed to have cell phones in class and must be placed in their locker during the school day.  All data should be switched off once students enter the school.

Students are encouraged to use technology to:

• Access, critically assess, and communicate information and understanding
• Seek alternative viewpoints
• Collaborate during inquiry
• Construct personal knowledge and meaning
• Demonstrate understandings
• Organize and manipulate data
• Interact with others
• Make cross-curricular connections

If digital devices are misused, student will be disciplined according to school policy. The following acts and prohibited sites constitute inappropriate use and may endanger students, and/or possibly damage the network, hardware, and/or software.

Prohibited acts include

• Use of someone else’s CBE account or access to network
• Being on the CBE LAWN without a direct learning purpose
• Sharing their own personal device with anyone
• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
• Using obscene language
• Posting material on any Social Networking sites during school hours
• Harassing, insulting, or attacking another person or their reputation
• Trespassing in other people’s folders, work, or files
• Accessing, posting, sending or downloading of inappropriate material
• Assuming the identity of another person to gain information
• Viewing web pages through a proxy server
• Running an application/program from a memory stick/jump drive
• In any way moving, or opening hardware or computer accessories
• Any attempt and/or threat to harm a person
• Plagiarism of online content
• Posting, publishing, circulating or distributing personal information (including pictures) about oneself or others without the supervision and consent of a staff member
• Sharing of usernames and passwords for other people to use
• Use of technology or the network to access sites / software not approved by staff
• Using technology during exams
• Listening to music/videos during instruction
• Texting and gaming during classes

Students must respect intellectual property and adhere to copyright, software piracy and fair dealing laws associated with learning technologies.

Prohibited Sites include:

• Vulgar or lewd depiction of the human body
• Any content publicly labelled for adults
• Violent acts
• Online gambling
• Sites that encourage the use of illicit or illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol
• Sites that advocate violence or hatred against an identifiable group i.e. race, religion, gender, disabilities, age, colour, sexual orientation, etc.
• Sites promoting criminal activity

Violation of the Policy

Each situation is dealt with on an individual basis and breach of policy may result in:

• restriction or loss of computer/electronic device privileges
• confiscation of personal device
• school based disciplinary consequences; and / or
• Police intervention and/or legal action

School Disclaimer

• The school is not responsible for loss, damage, or theft of student property, including electronic devices.
• The school will not provide technical support for students’ devices.
• Devices can only be brought into the classroom when deemed appropriate by the teacher
• Devices can only be used for educational purposes
• Misuse will be determined by staff/administration
• Digital Citizenship is a shared responsibility between students, parents and school
• Parents are expected to support and promote the Acceptable Use Policy, and students are expected to abide by it.