Digital Devices and Online Services for Students

 

• Kandos High School Acceptable use of Technology Policy
• Online Communication Services: acceptable usage for school students
  
• Legal Issues Bulletin 35
• Legal Issues Bulletin 8

 

About device security

The school does not own, support or warrant the device. Experience from the DER scheme indicates that students who took good care of their device and considered themselves the device's owner rarely had device security issues.

You are advised to consider insuring the device against loss or damage, particularly if it is of significant value since the school and the Department of Education does not accept liability for loss or damage to student devices. (from: Legal Issues Bulletin 8)

You might also consider using a device locator service. These services include the "Find my iPad" service built in to Apple iOS devices, "Prey" for Windows or "LoJack for Laptops".

Internet access on the device will be monitored while students are at school. As outlined in the Department's Online Communication Policy, students' emails are archived and their web browsing is logged. The records are kept for two years.

Choosing a device

Laptops, Chromebooks, Tablets are not all the same. They offer different types of software and have different functions. All can be used for:

• note making, calculation, working with images audio and video.
• accessing the Cloud and Cloud based applications available through Google Drive, Google Apps For Education and Microsoft 365.
• accessing cloud based teaching and learning tools such as Google Classroom and Microsoft Office OneNote
• accessing social media applications.

However, the Department of Education is able to provide copies of the Adobe Creative Cloud applications and Microsoft Office 365 at no cost to students. These only operate on laptops. With these applications available for free, Laptops are a far more economical BYOD solution than they would be if the applications had to be purchased at retail prices. As such, Kandos High School requires that students use a laptop as their device.

The Adobe application is currently available for download by students through their portal. Microsoft Office 365 is available from their student portal.

For more information about suitable devices, see our minimum device specifications.

BYOD Equity Policy

The Kandos High School BYOD Program can only function effectively if all students have access to a device that meets the Device Specification.

All BYOD programs involve a cost to users.

If you believe you are unable to provide a device that meets the specification, please make an appointment to speak with the Principal, so that your particular case can be discussed.

We also recognise that students may be temporarily without a laptop if it requires servicing or repairs. There are several options that the school may be able to explore including recurring loans of a laptop or other device. However, these options must be negotiated with the school ahead of time.

BYOD Values

Kandos High School has high expectations for the behaviour of our students. These expectations do not change because a student is interacting with others in an online space. Students will still be expected to display our core values of:

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Positive Relationships

In addition, students should abide by the Department's Values in Public Schools.

Mobile and Electronic Device Agreement

• Students are to use these devices responsibly at all times at school and follow the Department of Education Code of Conduct as well as be respectful and responsible learners at all times.
• Students are required to follow the Department of Education Online Communication Policy.
• Devices are to be on silent at all times during lessons unless teachers direct otherwise. They may be asked to close their laptop during a particular part of a lesson, or to turn their screen to face the teacher.
• Use of devices during class time is solely at teacher discretion. Students must follow teachers’ instructions and not interrupt their own or others’ learning.
• Teachers may choose to insist all students place their devices face down, or closed, on their desks.
• Misuse of a device may result in disciplinary action.
• No student is to record conversations or capture photographs, video or audio of others, including lessons, without the knowledge and permission of the teacher or those involved. Failing to adhere to this rule may result in suspension and the matter may be referred to police.
• Devices must not be used to bully, intimidate, harass others through SMS or text messaging or through photographic, video or other data transfer system available on the device. Failing to adhere to this rule may result in suspension and the matter may be referred to police.
• Devices must not be used to download or otherwise access inappropriate material on the internet such as child abuse or pornographic or other offensive material
• Devices must not be used to film fights or other criminal behaviour involving students that occur at school, during school activities or while on the way to or from school.
• Devices must not be used in a way that threatens or is likely to threaten the safety or wellbeing of any person or for any use that is in breach of any law.
• Students who bring devices to school must take responsibility for them. Staff take no responsibility for such devices and it is not possible for them to carry out lengthy investigations if a device goes missing.
• Students who persistently misuse a device may have their privilege of bringing it to school removed.

Inappropriate use of devices

Inappropriate use of a device includes:

• using it in a way that disrupts or is likely to disrupt the learning environment or interfere with the operation of the school or institute
• bullying, intimidating or otherwise harassing others through SMS or text messaging or through photographic, video or other data transfer system available on the phone
• recording of conversations, including lessons, without the knowledge and permission of the teacher or those involved in the conversation
• taking pictures of other people without their knowledge or consent
• downloading or otherwise accessing inappropriate material on the internet such as child abuse or pornographic or other offensive material
• filming of fights or other criminal behaviour involving students that occur at school or the institute, during school or institute activities or while on the way to or from school or the institute
• using it in a way that threatens or is likely to threaten the safety or wellbeing of any person
• use that is in breach of any law. (from: Legal Issues Bulletin 35)

Where a school has reasonable grounds to suspect that a device contains data which breaches the BYOD Student Agreement, the principal may confiscate the device for the purpose of confirming the existence of the material. Depending on the nature of the material involved, school disciplinary action may be appropriate or further action may be taken including referral to the police.

The consequences of any breaches of the school’s BYOD policy will be determined by the principal in accordance with relevant Department policies and procedures and accepted school practice.

Recording Video and Audio

• Students must not take photos or make video or audio recordings of any individual or group without the express written permission of each individual (including parent/caregiver consent for minors) being recorded and the permission of an appropriate staff member

Kandos High School Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy

The primary function of this BYOD policy is to support the educational program at Kandos High School. The wireless access provided to student devices is designed to enhance the student’s educational experience andincrease authentic student engagement in academic activities. The use of Personal Technology Devices (PTD) at Kandos High School is a privilege, not a right.

Kandos students are encouraged to bring their own technology. Permission to bring and use PTDs is contingent upon adherence to this BYOD Policy and the ‘Student use of digital devices and online services’ document provided by the NSW Department of Education.

Personal Technology Device (PTD)

A PTD is a portable internet-accessing device designed to share information, record sounds, process words, and/or capture images.

• Acceptable devices include laptops, netbooks, tablets (i.e., iPad, Google Nexus, etc.), e-readers (i.e.Kindle, Nook), and smartphones (i.e. iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, etc.).
• Unacceptable devices include, but are not limited to: gaming devices [i.e. Nintendo DS, handheldPlayStation (PSP), etc.] and other similar devices that do not serve an educational purpose.

Loss, Theft, or Damage of Privately Owned Technology

Portable electronic devices are vulnerable to loss, theft, or damage. KHS highly encourages students and parents to engrave or permanently mark their devices with owner information. KHS also recommends that devices are locked using the device’s security features, such as a passcode. Students andparents must assume total responsibility for any privately owned technology they bring to school. If a privately owned device is stolen, the victim must immediately report the incident to the Deputy and/or the School Office.  Kandos High School will not accept responsibility for any loss or stolen privately owned electronic devices. KHS faculty and staff are not obligated to investigate incidents of lost, stolen or damaged devices. KHS faculty and staff will not attempt to repair, correct, troubleshoot, or be responsible for malfunctioning devices.

The Role of KHS Faculty and Staff with BYOD

• Teachers are solely in charge of students’ use of technology within their classrooms. Student use ofany technology within a 50-minute class or a school-sanctioned activity is governed by the teacher or staff member in charge.
• Administration, faculty, and staff at KHS may direct at any time that students turn off, put away and/or silence their PTD. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action and possible revocation of BYOD privileges.
• KHS administrators reserve the right to search the contents of a PTD in accordance with the applicable laws and policies if there are reasonable suspicions that the student has violated the KHS BYOD Policy or the DOE guidelines.  Police will be contacted if there are suspicions of criminality. 

Student Rules for BYOD

Students are ALLOWED to:

• Use their PTD inside the school building before the 9:00 bell and after the 3:20 bell.
• Use their PTD during their assigned break periods.
•  Do the following on their PTD: text, access the internet, use school-appropriate applications/software, or work on an assignment.
• Use earbuds or headphones to listen to audio that cannot be heard by others.

Students are NOT ALLOWED to: 

• Make or respond to phone calls or messages on their phones during class time unless authorised by the teacher in charge. PTD sounds must be on ‘silent mode’ during class time.
• Take pictures, videos, or audio recordings without the permission of the teacher or staff member in charge.
• Cause a disturbance to others using their PTD.
• Charge their PTD at school without the teacher’s permission. We recommend powering off the device orusing ‘Airplane Mode’ to conserve battery life. 
• Engage in any malicious or irresponsible use of their PTD.
• Use any software, utilities, or other means, including personal data plans, to access internet sites or content that is inappropriate on school property.  
  

Additional Notes

• Streaming content (audio, video) from the Internet using the Guest Wi-Fi network to a PTD is discouraged due to the bandwidth congestion it may cause. Be considerate of others.
• Devices should not be hard-wired to the DOE network or computers.

Consequences

Violation of district and/or school policies, local, state and/or federal laws while using a privately owned electronic device on the Kandos High School wireless network or on school grounds will result in appropriate consequences. In accordance with Kandos High School’s policy, legal action may also be pursued when appropriate.

School-level consequences include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Verbal Warning
• Confiscation of PTD (only to be picked up by parent/guardian)
• Lunch Detention
• Temporary loss of technology privileges
• Permanent loss of technology privileges
• Out-of-School Suspension

Student use of Personal Technology Devices is a PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT. Kandos High School is not responsible for nor obligated to investigate incidents of loss, theft, or damage to a Personal Technology Device.