EMSB Information and Communication Technologies

EMSB Information and Communication Technologies

Access and Acceptable Use Policy

1.0 POLICY STATEMENT

The English Montreal School Board recognizes the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the learning process and encourages its use as a learning medium.

2.0 PRINCIPLES

In support of its commitment to promote the use of technologies in the learning process, the Board undertakes to:

2.1 continually upgrade its ICT infrastructure, equipment and services;

2.2 ensure the provision of appropriate resources, within the constraints of its budgetary allocations;

2.3 promote the integration of ICT in schools’ educational projects;

2.4 establish mechanisms to safeguard user rights and to ensure that its ICT services/resources are used in a responsible, legal and efficient manner. Users will be held accountable for any misuse of these services.

3.0 FIELD OF APPLICATION

The EMSB Information and Communication Technologies Access and Acceptable Use Policy applies to the telecommunication infrastructure, equipment and services such as Internet and e-mail access which are provided or managed by the School Board, any networks accessed while using these services, as well as any other networking technology which may presently or in the future be provided through other sources for use in the school system. Access to these services may be direct or remote.

EMSB Information and Communication Technologies

Access and Acceptable Use Policy: Procedures

PURPOSE

1. To promote the pedagogical applications of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to enhance the learning process and the development of learners’ competencies;

2. To define the respective responsibilities of employees, students and parents with respect to appropriate legal, ethical and efficient use of ICT.

PEDAGOGICAL APPLICATIONS

As an instructional strategy, ICT will be used to:

promote student success by providing opportunities for positive learning experiences;
develop competence and a sense of responsibility in the use of technologies;
develop basic competency;
support different learning styles;
promote literacy skills;
promote problem-solving skills;
promote critical thinking skills;
provide opportunities for users to conduct and share research in pursuit of curriculum objectives;
provide opportunities for users to communicate with peers and identified experts to deal with curriculum-related activities;
provide opportunities for users to explore and promote their linguistic and cultural heritage;
to allow users to become familiar with career opportunities and to develop the information literacy and technological competence necessary for meaningful employment in an information-based economy;
develop global awareness and understanding by providing opportunities to explore a variety of perspectives and insights.

In developing competencies, users will make use of ICT to:

develop the skills and habits of accessing, selecting, using, creating and publishing information in a full range of print, non-print, and electronic formats for a range of audiences;
research and solve self- and teacher-identified problems, questions, and issues that require original research and critical analysis, evaluation, and use of a wide range of information technologies;
think and reflect critically, in order to make decisions about data and information, based upon their personal values and learning needs;
identify and reflect critically about the values, beliefs, perspectives, and biases of the information and information sources they encounter;
pursue independent learning opportunities and interests.

APPENDIX 1

REFERENCES

The following documents were consulted in the preparation of this policy:

Public School Programs’ Internet Access and Use Policy

(Nova Scotia)

http://www.ednet.ns.ca/educ/d_depot/internet/english/

Department of Education (New Brunswick)

http://www.gov.nb.ca/education/ICTPolicy311E.html

Computer Lab Acceptable Use Policy (Newfoundland)

http://www.k12.nf.ca/apaddon/computer.html

Critiquing Acceptable Use Policies by Dave Kinnaman

http://www.io.com/~kinnaman/aupessay.html