5.9.1 Acceptable Use Policy

POLICY TYPE: 5.0 Educational Program Policies \ 5.9 Using Technology in Learning
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2018-10-24	LAST REVISED: 2023-09-11
THIS POLICY APPLIES TO: Contractors – Individuals engaged to provide services under a contract with SelfDesign Learning Foundation Support Providers – Individuals engaged under a contract or agreement with SelfDesign Learning Foundation to provide services for a specific learner Families – Learners and parents(s)/guardian(s) of learners participating in SelfDesign Learning Foundation’s programs Volunteers – Individuals providing goods/services under the terms of an agreement with SelfDesign Learning Foundation Board Members – Members of the Board of Directors for SelfDesign Learning Foundation and the Foundation for SelfDesign (FSD)

Policy Statement

SelfDesign Learning Foundation (SDLF) is committed to informing learners and their families of the required ethical and safe community-wide network standards as internet services and technologies offer valuable learning experiences for learners and are information sources for educators.

Definitions

Vandalism – actions involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property. Vandalism at SelfDesign Learning Foundation is therefore any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another member, SDLF, or any of the agencies or other networks that are connected to the internet, including, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

Policy

SelfDesign Learning Foundation will provide a community-wide network and internet services to support learning and, in providing internet access for learners, will not permit the creation, distribution, or access to any material which is not suitable for distributed learning.

Protocol

The following guidelines and behaviours apply whether SDLF network access is gained from SDLF loaned or privately owned computers. Users are advised that loaned computers are SDLF’s property and may be inspected or monitored at any time if misuse is suspected.

SDLF will ensure that the applicable agreements are signed upon enrolment:

Community Code of Conduct
Program Agreements

Guidelines as per the Community Code of Conduct

SDLF’s networks are intended only for educational purposes and for authorized business and administrative functions directly in support of SDLF’s operation. Accessing personal information of another individual not in support of authorized business and administrative functions is prohibited.
Network services, and access to these services, shall only be used by authorized persons. Where password-protected accounts are used, network users are personally responsible for all activity that occurs within their account.
When interacting with other users on the community-wide network or internet, users are expected to behave as they would in any other environment where they represent their school. It is important that users conduct themselves in a responsible, ethical, and polite manner in accordance with the standards of propriety of SDLF.
Using SDLF networks and the internet for illegal, obscene, harassing or inappropriate purposes, or in support of such activities, is prohibited.
SDLF networks are shared resources and must be used in moderation. From time to time, users may be asked to limit or relinquish access to high priority processes.

Guidelines as per the Electronic Communication and Supervision Policy

Users may not use SDLF’s networks or computing equipment to:
- Transmit any materials in violation of Canadian laws.
- Access another individual’s personal information where access has not been authorized and is not for SDLF’s administration and operations.
- Duplicate, store, or transmit pornographic materials.
- Transmit or post threatening, abusive, obscene or harassing material.
- Duplicate, store, or transmit copyrighted material that violates copyright law.
- Participate in pyramid schemes or chain mail harassment of other users.
Users may not violate, or attempt to violate, the security of SDLF’s loaned computers, data or network equipment or services:
- Any attempts at unauthorized access of SDLF data will result in termination of the user’s computer and network privileges.
- Any attempt to vandalize SDLF’s network accounts or systems will result in termination of the user’s computer and network privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another member, SDLF, or any of the agencies or other networks that are connected to the internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
- Use of another individual’s password-protected account is prohibited.
- Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to SDLF’s networks and services.
Users may not:
- Use abusive, vulgar, profane, obscene, harassing, or other inappropriate language.
- Share images or videos containing nudity, sexual content or inappropriate language.
- Criticize the spelling, writing or keyboarding of others.
- Re-post personal electronic mail received to forums (i.e., Google Groups or other social media sites) without the permission of the author.
- Share password(s) with others and/or distribute or use anyone else’s account name and password.
- Reveal anyone else’s personal address, phone number, or picture without parental consent.
- Use network access for business purposes or anything else not related to the individual’s position in SDLF.