Acceptable Use Policy for Student Use of the Internet

Educational use of the Internet is expanding rapidly and the staff of Aranmore College strongly believe in the use of the Internet as a valuable tool in our aim of promoting educational excellence. Access to information, research sources, people and computers throughout the world are available to students through Internet access points in the Library and the Technology rooms.

However, whilst electronic information resources offer tremendous opportunities of educational value, there are concerns that inappropriate material can be accessed by students. Filtering software is not considered to be either reliable or appropriate in a high school situation and is therefore not installed on the College servers. The College believes that personal responsibility for appropriate online behaviour should be accepted by each student using the Internet. Parents/guardians are entitled to request that a student is not granted access to online services available in the college.

The following Acceptable Use Agreement must be signed by all students requesting use of online services, signifying an acceptance of personal responsibility for their online behaviour.

The use of the Internet at Aranmore Catholic College is a privilege, not a right, and students should understand that inappropriate use will result in temporary or permanent cancellation of those privileges.

Student Name: ______________________________
Form: ________________ Date: ________________

Aranmore Catholic College Internet User Agreement

1. The college Internet account exists to provide access to curriculum related information. I will not use this account for other material unless given permission by College Staff.
2. I will not use the Internet to access material that is inappropriate to a Catholic school education.
3. I understand that information published on the Internet is not necessarily accurate and may misrepresent a person or situation. I will endeavour to verify information if in doubt.
4. Plagiarism is unacceptable, therefore I will not use the work of another person found on the World Wide Web without acknowledging that person. I will not break copyright law by copying and/or distributing the work of another person.
5. World Wide Web access is the only service offered to students. I will not attempt to use e-mail, FTP or chat, or any other services of the Internet without permission.
6. If permission is given to use e-mail, I will not reveal any personal information about myself or others.
7. As a representative of the college, I understand that any message I transfer by electronic mail can be viewed globally, therefore, when communicating with others I will use appropriate language, such as would be acceptable in a college assignment, and will be courteous.
8. I will take responsibility for reporting any known misuse of the Internet to the Librarian or Computer Coordinator
9. In fairness to others I will make my Internet use as efficient as possible.

Student Signature: ________________________ Date___________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________ Date___________________