Digital Technologies

Digital technologies include all devices used to create, manipulate, transmit, store images, words, numbers, moving images and sounds. This includes, but is not limited to, laptop computers, desktop computers, digital still and video cameras, mp3 recorders and players, scanners, printers, mobile phones, PDAs, memory devices, network infrastructure and the Internet.

Key understandings

Discovery College seeks to use digital technologies in powerful ways to enhance learning and teaching. Discovery College sees digital technology as a natural tool in the learning process that supports and enhances the curriculum. We seek to allow students to use digital technologies as a creative tool to investigate, design, manipulate, programme, control, develop, create, publish, present, evaluate and reflect on learning to a variety of audiences both face-to-face and online.

Laptop and computer access

• students in Year 1-5 will access laptop and desktop computers provided by the College when required
• students in Year 6 and above will use one to one computing and are required to buy a laptop computer and associated software in line with the current model being supported in the College. Current laptop model information can be found on the College website.
• all teaching staff are provided with a laptop computer and are required to use this for investigation, reflection, evaluation, lesson planning, developing resources, presenting and organising ideas, administration, reporting, communication with other staff, parents and students
• students may be asked to help develop and sign essential agreements about when and how laptops are used that are year level specific

Acceptable Use Agreement

No trespassing

• Do not touch another person's laptop/device unless invited by the owner
• Do not play with, use, or change another person's user account
• Do not access another person's files or resources
• Only access areas of the network you have been given permission for

No fooling around

• Do not load any game, video or music file on your machine that is not rated Category 'I' or 'G' (suitable for all audiences)
• Do not play games at school, unless sanctioned and agreed to by the College
• Do not access inappropriate websites (obscene, violent etc) on your laptop while at school
• Do not chat online or play music/videos unless given permission by your teacher
• Leave mobile phones turned off or in silent mode in your bags or lockers unless their use is sanctioned by a teacher for a learning activity
• Do not post or send any message/picture/sound/video that is obscene, rude, harassing or insulting to another
• Do not attack, threaten or intimidate another student
• Do not take pictures or post pictures of others without asking their permission

No hogging

• Do not take up bandwidth by downloading movies, music, pictures, or by playing online games not directly connected to your learning
• Do not store music, movies, pictures or files on the school network not connected to your learning
• Do not waste e-resources or material resources (e.g. network space, internet bandwidth, printing)

No stealing

• Do not download any illegal materials (e.g. cracked software, pirated music or movies, or any copyrighted materials) or bring such materials in to school
• Do not plagiarise i.e. present anybody else's work as your own

No spamming, hacking or hawking

• Do not forward or send any content not directly associated with your learning (e.g. advertisements, games, pictures)
• Do not deliberately or negligently spread viruses, malware, or spyware
• Do not attempt to access any areas of the school network, or other peoples devices you do not have permission to visit
• Do not run a business or seek to make profit using the school network

Guidelines

• Discovery College will monitor user data and internet access and check the contents of any electronic device brought onto the College premises or on any official College event
• curriculum use of the network and computer resources takes precedence over non-curriculum use including games not related to classwork
• this statement covers (but is not limited to) the use of electronic devices owned by the College and by students that are brought onto College premises, or on excursions, camps or other official school functions including computers, laptops, storage devices, digital video and music players, cameras, other recording devices, mobile phones and organisers
• Discovery College reserves the right to ensure all student laptops have sufficient space to support learning activities. This may include the college deleting non-essential games, music and video files.

Laptop Audits

The school audits four laptops everyday from the one to one laptop users in Year 6 – 10. This is either done randomly or as a result of teacher request. If breaches to the above Acceptable Use Agreement are found, depending on the age level, either the PYP or MYP administration is informed, and the sanctions below are applied.

Sanctions

Sanctions for violations stated above may include the following measures:

• confiscation of the device for a defined period
• withdrawal of privileges including on-line access for breaches of on-line policy
• withdrawal of the right to bring or use electronic devices to the College or to College activities
• community work for the College outside school hours
• payment for cost of repairs

For serious breaches of rules:

• suspension or expulsion
• law enforcement agencies may be involved

Year 6 Laptop Programme Introduction – Clickeratti Kids

In order to develop a strong understanding of the key expectations in the Acceptable Use Agreement, students in Year 6 participate in a year long inquiry class led by the Digital Literacy Coordinator. The aim of this inquiry is to help the Year 6 students transition into Year 7 and MYP with a sound understanding of appropriate, independent use of their new laptops and also to develop a digital portfolio format they can continue to use in subsequent years. Clickeratti Kids specifically inquires into what it looks like to be a digital citizen in today's learning environment, utilising their new laptops and other mobile technologies in a positive manner. Elements that are explored in depth are; online safety and security, communication methods, the DC Acceptable Use Agreement, design and layout features for good digital portfolios, skills needed to create their own digital portfolio based on inquiry findings.

Digital Citizenship Education

DC provides infused learning opportunities related to online safety and security when using digital technologies. Key resources that are used to highlight elements of digital citizenship include use of "Hector's World" www.hectorsworld.com with students Yrs 3 – 6, which is an online learning environment that aims to educate through use of child orientated interests and tools. At MYP level developing positive digital citizenship involves 'just in time' education; for example, a project requiring music for a presentation can also involve a session of investigating issues surrounding pirating music, video etc.

The school is committed to strengthen the partnership between home and school by offering presentations and workshops related to online safety and security. The aim is to form positive digital citizenship expectations that are consistent between home and school, with parents and school keeping each other informed about current positive and negative online trends to be aware of.