digital Learning policy

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Purpose

To ensure that all students and members of our school community understand:

our commitment to providing students with the opportunity to benefit from digital technologies to support and enhance learning and development at school
expected student behaviour when using digital technologies including the internet, social media, and digital devices (including computers, laptops, tablets)
the school’s commitment to promoting safe, responsible and discerning use of digital technologies, and educating students on appropriate responses to any dangers or threats to wellbeing that they may encounter when using the internet and digital technologies
our school’s policies and procedures for responding to inappropriate student behaviour on digital technologies and the internet
the various Department policies on digital learning, including social media, that our school follows and implements

Scope

This policy applies to all students and staff at Preston South Primary School.

Definitions

For the purpose of this policy, “digital technologies” are defined as digital devices, tools, applications and systems that students and teachers use for learning and teaching; this includes Department-provided software and locally sourced devices, tools and systems.

Policy

Vision for digital learning at our school

The use of digital technologies is a mandated component of the Victorian Curriculum F-10.

Safe and appropriate use of digital technologies, including the internet, apps, computers and tablets, can provide students with rich opportunities to support learning and development in a range of ways.

Through increased access to digital technologies, students can benefit from learning that is interactive, collaborative, personalised, engaging and transformative. Digital technologies enable our students to interact with and create high quality content, resources and tools. It also enables personalised learning tailored to students’ particular needs and interests and transforms assessment, reporting and feedback, driving new forms of collaboration and communication.

Preston South Primary School believes that the use of digital technologies at school allows the development of valuable skills and knowledge and prepares students to thrive in our globalised and inter-connected world. Our school’s vision is to empower students to use digital technologies safely and appropriately to reach their personal best and fully equip them to contribute positively to society as happy, healthy young adults.

Safe and appropriate use of digital technologies

Digital technologies, if not used appropriately, may present risks to users’ safety or wellbeing. At Preston South Primary School, we are committed to educating all students to use digital technologies in ways that respect the dignity of ourselves and others and promote full flourishing for all, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world.

At Preston South Primary School, we:

use online sites and digital tools that support students’ learning, and focus our use of digital technologies on being learning-centred
use digital technologies in the classroom for specific purpose with targeted educational or developmental aims
supervise and support students using digital technologies for their schoolwork
effectively and responsively address any issues or incidents that have the potential to impact on the wellbeing of our students
have programs in place to educate our students to be safe, responsible and discerning users of digital technologies (eSmart program).
educate our students about digital issues such as privacy, intellectual property and copyright, and the importance of maintaining their own privacy and security online
actively educate and remind students of our Student Engagement policy that outlines our School’s values and expected student behaviour, including online behaviours
have an Acceptable Use Agreement outlining the expectations of students when using digital technologies for their schoolwork
use clear protocols and procedures to protect students working in online spaces, which includes reviewing the safety and appropriateness of online tools and communities and removing offensive content at the earliest opportunity
educate our students on appropriate responses to any dangers or threats to wellbeing that they may encounter when using the internet and other digital technologies
provide a filtered internet service at school to block access to inappropriate content
refer suspected illegal online acts to the relevant law enforcement authority for investigation
support parents and carers to understand the safe and responsible use of digital technologies and the strategies that can be implemented at home through regular updates in our newsletter, information sheets, website/school portal and information sessions.

Distribution of school owned devices to students and personal student use of digital technologies at school will only be permitted where students and their parents/carers have completed a signed Acceptable Use Agreement.

It is the responsibility of all students to protect their own password and not divulge it to another person. If a student or staff member knows or suspects an account has been used by another person, the account holder must notify the classroom teacher immediately.

All messages created, sent or retrieved on the school’s network are the property of the school. The school reserves the right to access and monitor all messages and files on the computer system, as necessary and appropriate. Communications including text and images may be required to be disclosed to law enforcement and other third parties without the consent of the sender.

Social Media Use

Our school follows the Department’s policy on Social Media Use to Support Learning to ensure social media is used safely and appropriately in student learning and to ensure appropriate parent notification occurs or, where required, consent is sought. Where the student activity is visible to the public, it requires consent.

In accordance with the Department’s policy on social media, staff will not ‘friend’ or ‘follow’ a student on a personal social media account, or accept a ‘friend’ request from a student using a personal social media account unless it is objectively appropriate, for example where the student is also a family member of the staff.

If a staff member of our school becomes aware that a student at the school is ‘following’ them on a personal social media account, Department policy requires the staff member to ask the student to ‘unfollow’ them, and to notify the school and/or parent or carer if the student does not do so.

Student Behaviour Expectations

When using digital technologies, students are expected to behave in a way that is consistent with Preston South Primary School’s Statement of Values, Student Wellbeing and Engagement policy and Bullying Prevention policy.

When a student acts in breach of the behaviour standards of our school community (including cyberbullying, using digital technologies to harass, threaten or intimidate, or viewing/posting/sharing of inappropriate or unlawful content), Preston South Primary School will institute a staged response, consistent with our student engagement and behaviour policies.

Breaches of this policy by students can result in a number of consequences which will depend on the severity of the breach and the context of the situation. This includes:

removal of network access privileges
removal of email privileges
removal of internet access privileges
removal of printing privileges
other consequences as outlined in the school’s Student Wellbeing and Engagement and Bullying Prevention policies.

Communication

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:

Available publicly on our school’s website
Included in staff induction processes
Discussed at staff briefings/meetings as required
Discussed at student forums/through communication tools
Made available in hard copy from school administration upon request

Policy Review and Approval

Policy last reviewed: 26/02/2024

Approved by: Principal and School Council

Next scheduled review date: 26/02/2026