Technology

Information Technology Acceptable Use and Guidelines

The Principles of Responsible Use

Internet access is available to all students and teachers at ZIS. While the Internet offers a great deal of useful information and resources, it is also a diverse public medium. As such, it is important that pupils and faculty conduct themselves in a way which is compatible with the academic aims and the spirit of ZIS. Our goal in providing access to the Internet is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. With access to the Internet also comes the potential availability of educationally questionable, politically controversial, and morally inappropriate material.

Although we strive to supervise Internet use, it is impossible to guarantee that users will not be exposed to, or able to obtain such material. ZIS therefore relies heavily on mature and responsible use by students and faculty and believes that Internet usage is a chance to teach students about responsible, ethical behavior. These guidelines have been established to inform the ZIS community of the responsibilities which all users of the school’s Internet facilities must carry.

Access to the Internet is provided for the express purpose of furthering studies at school, engaging in collaborative work with others, and obtaining information which is consistent with the educational objectives of ZIS. Members of our community should not transmit or seek access to materials which violate laws, infringe on copyrights, or have threatening, obscene, or racist content unless in the context of investigative research. Anyone who deliberately accesses such material and/or distributes slanderous or deliberately hurtful comments which cause personal distress, are considered out of sympathy with the school’s mission and values, in breach of professional ethics, and/or in violation of the school’s Rules and Expectations.

Responsible Use Policy

• I understand that any devices loaned to me, my email account, and all other ZIS IT services and resources are to be used for educational purposes and to be cared for appropriately.
• I understand that streaming video, use of social networking, instant messaging and online gaming on any device are against school rules, but may be allowed under the guidance of a teacher for completion of course related activities.
• I understand that creating, accessing, displaying, producing, storing, circulating or transmitting pornographic or other offensive material in any form or medium through any device (personal or school) is strictly against school rules and in some cases against the law. Also, sending, posting or displaying offensive images, language or any other type of offensive content, including the bullying, harassment or intimidation of others is strictly against school rules. • I will not give out my password to anyone, nor use or acquire someone else’s password or log-in identity, and I understand the risks of giving out personal information.
• I will not deliberately introduce any harmful or nuisance executable or file from untrustworthy websites, or deliberately circumvent any precautions taken by the school to prevent this from happening.
• I will not attempt unauthorized access (hacking) to data held by the school or other users. I understand that this is a criminal act.
• I agree to comply with trademark, copyright laws, data protection laws and computer misuse laws, and to give credit to all sources used.
• I understand that school devices and systems are monitored, and will be analyzed in the case of inappropriate use.
• I agree that ZIS may limit, suspend or revoke access to the school’s technology systems, services, or network upon violation of this Responsible Use Policy.

Internet publishing principles and guidelines

Content published by students is not intended to be official ZIS communication and does not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the school. ZIS is responsible only for official content published through official channels. However, publishing online can be an effective way for students to share their work and ideas, and facilitates the following:

• includes broad representation from all students/ groups within the ZIS school community
• reflects the academic and social values of the ZIS Mission and Philosophy
• encourages students to produce their best work for publishing through a process of revision and to accurately reflect their developing levels of skills
• creates an opportunity for students to discover how to be positive, respectful, contributing members of an open community
• serves as a springboard for peer review, reflection, and collaboration with a global community of learners
• encourages the conscious development of a positive online presence or “digital footprint”

The following rules apply when preparing material for Internet publishing:

• Students are solely responsible for what they choose to publish online
• Students publish material online with the understanding that their published content must adhere to academic and/or professional norms and appropriately reflect the ZIS Mission and philosophy.
• Students advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology, exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity, demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.
• In compliance with privacy law, no specific demographic or contact information that identifies a student, faculty, or staff member (i.e. home address, telephone number, etc.) should be published.
• Student names should not be published with images unless consent is collected, for example, in student online magazines. However, students involved in specific academic or ATAC activities, that depend upon posting results of performances, may need to agree that their name and image can be used in publications.

Google accounts

At Zurich International School, we use Google Workspace. Google Workspace is a set of productivity tools that includes Google Classroom, Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Slides, Sheets. Classroom activities may require access to additional applications and sites such as YouTube, Google Maps, Earth, Jamboard, Hangouts and access to the Chrome Webstore.

Students are provided with a Google account to complete assignments and communicate with their teachers. When creating a student account, Zurich International School will provide Google with certain personal information about the student, including, for example, name, email address, and password. When a student uses Google services, Google also collects information based on the usage, largely for the purposes of product development.

ZIS takes data privacy seriously, and we expect students to care for their personal data by not sharing their credentials with other people.

Social media and digital communications

Students who use social networking or other digital platforms to collaborate or communicate with their peers at any time, including outside of school hours, should do so in a way that reflects school values.

Students are expected to not use offensive language in such settings, including language that makes fun of others because of their appearance, race or ethnicity, gender, or abilities, even if these are intended as a joke. Students should not spread information or pictures that make fun of others or show disrespect to anyone.

Decisions about students’ readiness to use social media rests entirely with parents. Parents should only allow access and use of social media to children who have reached the minimum age in the user agreement and have the knowledge and maturity to use it responsibly.

It is recommended that students keep in mind the following when using social networks:

• If it could cause offense or harm, don’t post or send it.
• If you don’t want everyone to see it, don’t post it.
• Think carefully about the digital footprint you create through your online words and actions and choose to leave a footprint that is positive and reflects positive values.

Educational Technology in the Lower School

Technology in the Lower School is used to support and enhance all curriculum areas in the school. The vision is one where technology is a natural and essential part of everyday school life for teacher and student as well as community members. Through technology use, there are greater opportunities for interactive communication and exchange of information through global collaboration, authentic learning, expansion of the learning community and empowerment for all learners.

Technology encompasses the use of a wide range of digital tools, media and learning environments for teaching, learning and assessing. Technology provides opportunities for the transformation of teaching and learning and enables students to investigate, create, communicate, collaborate, organize and be responsible for their own learning and actions. Technology allows students to make connections and reach a deeper understanding of its relevance and applicability to their everyday lives. Through the use of technology, learners develop and apply strategies for critical and creative thinking, engage in inquiry, make connections, and apply new understandings and skills in different contexts.

To support our school philosophy of Inquiry and 21st Century Learning we provide an iPad for every student in Grades 1–5. Preschool to Kindergarten classes have sets of iPads in their classrooms.

Parent/family responsibilities and guidance for use

We suggest you talk to your children about your values and the standards they should follow when using the Internet just as you do with the use of all media information sources such as television, telephones, movies, and radio.

Zurich International School recognizes that with new technologies come new challenges to both teachers and parents. Below is a series of suggestions drawn from a wide variety of professional sources that may aid you in effectively guiding the use of technology at home.

1. Take extra steps to protect your child. Encourage your child to use technology tools in an open area of your home, such as the kitchen or family room, so you can monitor what your child is doing online. Use the Internet with your child to help develop safe surfing habits and responsible use. Children often model adult behavior.
2. Go where your child goes online. Monitor the places that your child visits. Let your child know that you’re there, and help teach her/him how to act as s/he works and socializes online.
3. Review your child’s friends list. You may want to limit your child’s online “friends” to people your child actually knows and is working with in real life.
4. Understand sites’ privacy policies. Internet sites should spell out your rights to review and delete your child’s information.
5. Encourage a balanced approach towards screen time. Technology tools like the iPad are very engaging devices, consider setting limits on screen time and encourage a balanced approach between screen time and other activities. Care and continual monitoring will reduce your child’s exposure to excessive use.
6. Report unwelcome or malicious online threats. Report in a timely fashion to the school any online interactions that can be considered threatening.
7. Help your child develop a routine. Many parents have found success by helping create a routine for their child’s computer/iPad use. Define a routine for how the iPad or other screens are cared for along with when and where its use is appropriate.
8. Take a look at the apps or programs. Get involved! It is to the advantage of the students, parents, and school that the parents have a working understanding of the programs and student work.
9. Read and share with your child the ZIS Code of Conduct. By reading and discussing this, you can reinforce the set of expectations and limitations for your child.

Liability

ZIS excludes any liability, to the extent permissible by law, for any kind of damage caused by any employee, ancillary staff or any other person whose actions may be attributed to ZIS, namely for:

• physical or emotional injuries of any kind that occurred because of, during or at the occasion of school-related activities of any kind (including breaks, free blocks, lunchtime, school trips, extracurricular activities, shuttle bus trips etc.)
• lost, stolen, or damaged personal property of any kind, namely electronic devices, even if temporarily confiscated by the school
• the loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mis-deliveries, errors, or interruptions of any IT-related services including internet access as well as in case of deletion of unauthorized software, and for any consequences in case internet users succeed in gaining access to controversial or inappropriate materials.

The parents shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless ZIS and/or its staff from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, losses and expenses arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any act or omission of their children.

Notification of authorities

ZIS may notify authorities of any information which was observed or is suspected. This applies regardless of whether ZIS has the statutory duty to do so or whether it does so at its own discretion in a specific case if it believes that it is in the best interest of any member of the ZIS community or the entire community.