The Digital Human Library (dHL) recognizes that access to technology in school gives students and teachers greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare them for work, life, and citizenship. We are committed to helping students develop 21st-century technology and communication skills.
To that end, we provide access to technologies for staff and student use. The Terms of Use outlines the guidelines and behaviors that users are expected to follow when using school technologies or when using personally-owned devices on the school grounds.
The dHL may provide access to web sites, videoconferencing capabilities, online collaboration capabilities, social networking, message boards, email, blog access, web links, and more.
As new technologies emerge, the dHL will attempt to provide access to them. The policies outlined in this document are intended to cover all available technologies, not just those specifically listed.
All technologies provided by the dHL are intended for educational purposes. All users are expected to use good judgment and to follow the specifics of this document as well as the spirit of it: be safe, appropriate, careful and kind; don’t try to get around technological protection measures; use good common sense; and ask if you don’t know.
The dHL provides its users with access to the Internet, including web sites, resources, content, and online tools. That access will be restricted in compliance AMDSB policies. Web browsing may be monitored and web activity records may be retained indefinitely.
Users are expected to respect that the web filter is a safety precaution, and should not try to circumvent it when browsing the Web. If a site is blocked and a user believes it shouldn’t be, the user should follow protocol to alert an IT staff member or submit the site for review.
The dHL may provide users with email accounts for the purpose of school-related communication. Availability and use may be restricted based on school policies.
If users are provided with email accounts, they should be used with care. Users should not send personal information; should not attempt to open files or follow links from unknown or untrusted origin; should use appropriate language; and should only communicate with other people as allowed by the district policy or the teacher.
Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. Email usage may be monitored and archived.
Recognizing that collaboration is essential to education, the dHL may provide users with access to web sites or tools that allow communication, collaboration, sharing, and messaging among users.
Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. Posts, chats, sharing, and messaging may be monitored. Users should be careful not to share personally-identifying information online.
The dHL may provide users with mobile computers or other devices to promote learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Users should abide by the same acceptable use policies when using school devices off the school network as on the school network.
Users are expected to treat these devices with extreme care and caution; these are expensive devices that the school is entrusting to your care. Users should report any loss, damage, or malfunction to IT staff immediately. Users may be financially accountable for any damage resulting from negligence or misuse.
Use of school-issued mobile devices, including use of the school network, may be monitored.
Users are expected to take reasonable safeguards against the transmission of security threats over the school network. This includes not opening or distributing infected files or programs and not opening files or programs of unknown or untrusted origin.
If you believe a computer or mobile device you are using might be infected with a virus, please alert IT. Do not attempt to remove the virus yourself or download any programs to help remove the virus.
Users should not download or attempt to download or run .exe programs over the school network or onto school resources without express permission from IT staff.
For the security of our network, download such files only from reputable sites, and only for educational purposes.
If you see a message, comment, image, or anything else online that makes you concerned for your personal safety, bring it to the attention of your principal, or another staff member at school immediately.
Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Harassing, dissing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, outing, tricking, excluding, and cyberstalking are all examples of cyberbullying. Don’t send emails or post comments with the intent of scaring, hurting, or intimidating someone else.
Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person, will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying can be a crime. Remember that your activities are monitored and retained.
<This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using school technologies.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using school technologies.
The dHL will not be responsible for damage or harm to persons, files, data, or hardware.
While the dHL employs filtering and other safety and security mechanisms, and attempts to ensure their proper function, it makes no guarantees as to their effectiveness.
The dHL will not be responsible, financially or otherwise, for unauthorized transactions conducted over the school network.
Violations of this policy may have disciplinary repercussions, including:
The Digital Human Library encourages teachers, students, staff, and other school community members to use social networking/media (Skype, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) as a way to connect with others, share educational resources, create and curate educational content, and enhance the classroom experience. While social networking is fun and valuable, there are some risks you should keep in mind when using these tools. In the social media world, the lines are blurred between what is public or private, personal or professional.
We've created these social networking/media guidelines for you to follow when representing the school in the virtual world.
We expect you to use good judgment in all situations.
You must know and follow the school’s Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy.
Regardless of your privacy settings, assume that all of the information you have shared on your social network is public information.
Always treat others in a respectful, positive and considerate manner.
Even though you are approved to represent the school, unless you are specifically authorized to speak on behalf of the school as a spokesperson, you should state that the views expressed in your online dialogue are your own. Stick with discussing school-related matters that are within your area of responsibility.
Be open about your affiliation with the school and the role/position you hold.
Keep in mind that one of the biggest benefits of social media is that it gives others another way to talk to you, ask questions directly and to share feedback.
Be responsive others when conversing online. Provide answers, thank people for their comments, and ask for further feedback, etc.
Always be doing at least as much listening and responding as you do "talking."
A significant part of the interaction on Skype, blogs, Twitter, Facebook and other social networks involves passing on interesting content or linking to helpful resources. However, the school is ultimately responsible for any content that is shared. Don't blindly repost a link without looking at the content first.
Pay attention to the security warnings that pop up on your computer before clicking on unfamiliar links. They actually serve a purpose and protect you and the school.
When using Skype, Twitter, Facebook and other tools, be sure to follow their printed terms and conditions.