Technology @ DeMatha

Access to online services, Internet resources, and other educational technology resources complement the DeMatha philosophy of a “broad-based curriculum that incorporates appropriate pedagogical techniques and technological innovation”. The AUP outlines the policies and procedures related to providing all students with the ability to collaborate, innovate, and communicate with modern technology in the 21st century. The school’s technology resources, including Google Apps for Education and Internet access, are provided for educational purposes only. All violations of this policy will follow the discipline procedures outlined in the 2016-2017 Student Handbook. Acceptance of the AUP is completed during the Online Enrollment and Re-Enrollment process.

The use of technology, whether owned by DeMatha or the student, involves responsibility. Use of the DeMatha network is a privilege, not a right. Failure to comply with school policy may result in temporary or permanent loss of access and well as further disciplinary or legal action. Students will be held accountable for all activities that occur with their account and/or personal devices.

DeMatha has various hardware and software for student use including mobile carts, tablets, network printers, and multiple instructional computer areas. Use of these items is limited to the policy defined herein. DeMatha will issue user accounts for computer access. This unique account will also be used for access to Google Apps (email) as well as the Veracross Student Portal. Personal email accounts are not allowed except to request access to the school-provided account.

The following expectations are in place for all technology at DeMatha:
• Students will not access or post inappropriate materials including, but not limited to sites containing sexual content, obscene content, threatening material, profanity, illegal activities, hacking/proxy avoidance systems, commercial activities, or virus/spyware content.

• DeMatha has content filtering policies applied to all Internet connections. Students will not attempt to circumvent the filter or deliberately attempt to access resources to which the user is not authorized. Students additionally may not install or alter any system hardware or software on DeMatha-owned equipment without direct supervision from the technology department staff. Reading or modifying other student files in any way is not permitted.

• Only files for DeMatha coursework will be saved to a student’s Google Drive or Network Drive. Any file loss due to saving to 'My Documents' (local disk) will not be recoverable.

• Recording of audio, images, or video for any reason without express permission from both a staff member and the individuals being recorded is prohibited.

• Students understand that printing at school from personal devices will not be possible. Alternatively students can save their work to their Google Drive and then open those files on designated DeMatha computers for printing purposes.

• Personal devices used while at school are the responsibility of the owner. DeMatha is not liable for any device that is stolen or damaged on campus. The school reserves the right to monitor, review, and restrict the use of any device. The contents of the equipment are subject to review at any time, for any lawful reason, consistent with the policies of the Student Handbook and applicable law.

• Devices should be fully charged and are expected to run off their battery during the school day. Students should not expect teachers to make outlets available for charging during class and no student should disconnect other technology equipment to gain access to a power outlet. Additional batteries are recommended for devices that are not capable of running for an entire school day.

Cell phone use is not permitted. Further information on device policies and
penalties for misuse can be found in the Student Handbook (Student Procedures and Regulations – Responsibility – 8. Cell Phone and Electronics Policy).

1. What you post is not personal.
– Once you’ve posted information on the Internet you’ve relinquished any claim to privacy.

2. What you post can be viewed by your teachers.
– Before you post something negative about Mr. Smith, remember that Mr. Smith might be reading the comment tomorrow.

3. What you post can be viewed by potential employers.
– With an unrestricted account, your information could come up with a simple Yahoo! or Google search. With college alumni receiving .edu e-mail accounts, your potential employer can also view your Facebook page.

4. What you post is permanent.
– You may apply security settings to restrict access and regularly delete information from your web page, but there is a decent chance someone or some program has archived your most detailed, potentially damaging content somewhere. Assume that everything you write could come back to haunt you in 5, 10, or 20 years.

5. What you post can be a literal road-map to your door.
– Detailed information is fine for friends, but it’s an invitation to your home for a predator. Use available security settings and be cautious is posting too much physical location information.

6. What you post can subject you to discipline or even expulsion.
– If something you post violates the Student Handbook, you can and will be disciplined. Your online blog is not a safe haven.