Introduction
Mt Maunganui Intermediate School believes in a Digital Citizenship model for supporting safe and responsible use of the internet in teaching and learning. An important part of this is that we are able to show others what that responsible use looks like while we are using technology in our learning.
We think a good digital citizen is someone who;
Because we know this is important for us all, we ask everyone, the staff, students and volunteers working at the school to agree to use the internet and other technologies in a safe and responsible way by following the rules laid out in a Responsible Use Agreement like this one.
If someone cannot agree to act responsibly, or the things that they do mean that other people are being harmed, then we might stop them from using the internet or other technology at school.
Student User Agreement
When using information & communications technologies (ICT) at Mt Maunganui Intermediate School I will always be a good digital citizen.
This means that I;
I know what I do and do not understand about the technologies that I use. I will get help where I need it.
I understand that technology can help me to learn. I also know it can also be used to talk to people, to buy and sell things and to have my opinion heard. I know when and where it is do each one.
I know that it is easy to put information online. This means that what I see is not always right. I will always check to make sure information is real before I use it.
When people talk online the things they say can be quite different from a conversation they might have if they were sitting next to each other. I know that I must try to understand what people are saying before I react to them. If I am not sure, I can ask them or someone else to explain.
I will always talk politely and with respect to people online. I know that it is possible to bully or hurt people with what I say and do on the internet. I will think about the effect that my actions have on other people.
I will never do anything online that I know will hurt anyone. I will make sure what I do is not against the law. I will make sure that my actions don’t break the rules of the websites that I use. When I am not sure about what I am doing I will ask for help.
I understand that some information is private. I will be careful when using full names, birthdays, addresses and photos of other people and of my own. I also know that I will not always agree with what people say online but that does not mean that I can stop them or use it as an excuse to be unkind to them.
Being a good digital citizen is something that we all have to work at. If I know that my friends are having problems online, I will try to help them. If I see that someone is being unfairly treated online then I will speak up rather than just watch it happen.
Parent Declaration
I understand that our school is supporting students as they learn the skills required to become successful digital citizens. Our school defines a digital citizen as someone who;
I understand that our school has a policy and associated procedures* which outlines the schools digital citizenship approach and how this supports teaching and learning.
*These documents are available at the school office.
I understand that the school provides access to the internet and other communications technologies because it believes that they enhance the teaching and learning process.
I understand that the school encourages responsible behaviour by students when using technology to help protect themselves and each other from experiencing harm online. I am aware that this “Responsible Use Agreement” is part of that, and that it encourages students to consider how their actions can affect themselves and those around them.
I have read the student declaration and have talked with my child about what it means to them. I am happy that my child understands what this means, and that they are capable of working within the guidelines.
I am aware that students can experience challenges when using technology, but that the school makes every effort to support students to manage those challenges effectively. I understand that by learning to deal with them in a safe environment with the appropriate support they will be better prepared to deal with those challenges in the future.
If I have questions or concerns about the way in which technology is being used by my child at school, I know the school is happy to discuss this with me, and I am aware that I am welcome to do this at any time.