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Digital Citizenship Policy 4.15.1 This policy aims to standardise the procedures and safety requirements for any person working digitally in CIA FIRST International School. CIA FIRST issues this policy to achieve consistency, appropriateness, and ease of understanding for the development of smart, safe, responsible and ethical digital usage practices that are aligned to our educational philosophy and the school's mission and vision statements. A. Definitions Digital Access: The technology that is available to learners and educators Digital Commerce: Buying and selling goods and services online. Digital Communication: The means and methods of communicating over the internet. Digital Literacy: The ability and skills of the user to communicate through various computer hardware and software. Digital Etiquette: Appropriate and proper communication online. Digital Law: The stealing of other’s identity, work or property in any form online constitutes an infraction of international criminal law. Digital Rights and Responsibilities: The freedoms and duties extended to everyone in the digital world Digital Health and Wellness: The physical and mental well being of digital users Digital Security: Electronic precautions to guarantee safety. B. IntroductionCIA FIRST International School is a dynamic, progressive and forward-thinking educational establishment in Cambodia. The school embraces an inquiry-based, 21st-century skills centred curriculum framed around the Understanding by Design (McTighe and Wiggins, 1999) model where enduring understandings are accessed through the centre stage of essential questions that are transferable across various subjects and disciplines. The predominance of technology is a major facilitator in realising these objectives (Pahomov, 2014) and all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 at CIA FIRST International School are actively encouraged to make use of electronic devices and computer software and platforms in every lesson and learning activity. However, this digital presence in schools is not without dangers, and every possible precaution must be made to ensure smart, safe, responsible and ethical digital practices in school, protecting our students and staff from the potential risks that such access may entail. Consequently, this policy will be framed around Mike Ribble’s 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship (2017) each of which are defined above. These concepts will be adapted to the context, requirements, and demands of the circumstances at CIA FIRST International School. 1. Digital Access All CIA FIRST International School students are frequently exposed to online resources and digital platforms. The kindergarten students have tablets while the elementary students have tablets and chromebooks in their classrooms to support them in learning and sharing their work. A bookable lab is also available not only for homeroom teachers but also for the subject teachers to allow students access to digital resources and share their work. With all the digital support infrastructure in place for the KES students, bringing of smartphones, smartwatches, and devices are not allowed in the KES level. The school is not liable for any damage or loss devices. From Grade 6 to Grade 12, the students are expected to bring their own electronic device to school for each of their lessons. The policy guidelines from September 2015 state the following: • Any laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a screen size of 7" or greater is a permitted device for use in the classroom. • Connectivity issues are supported by the IT department. • Students should contact the device manufacturer or their carrier for operating system, software or hardware related issues.
2. Digital Commerce Students are actively discouraged to engage in online commercial activities at school. The prevalence of online fraud is a growing concern for the youth of today and therefore commercial activity should be limited to ordering simple items, such as food deliveries, from well established and trusted companies. Besides which, the preoccupation with online shopping has the danger of distracting students from educational tasks. Therefore, the use of the school address to purchase or deliver any items online is prohibited. The exception to this, is ordering food and drink from trusted and well-established companies on Fridays and special occasions as stipulated in the school’s nutrition policy. 3. Digital Communication In class, students are only allowed to communicate via school approved Google Suite platforms. The use of any type of unauthorised social media in class is strictly forbidden. These communications via school platforms can be investigated and retrieved whenever there are causes for concern such as cyberbullying and offensive messages. The teachers also avoid using class time for personal digital communication and communicate with students and colleagues via the same approved platforms as the students. Furthermore, in accordance with the school’s orientation information, staff are strictly forbidden from befriending or adding student social media profiles to their own. 4. Digital Literacy CIA FIRST International school has a high standard of ICT instruction in every grade level from Kindergarten up to Grade 12. Students thus develop digital literacy skills on par with the more traditional communication skills of reading, writing, and orally. 5. Digital Etiquette Students and staff are expected to compose emails that follow conventional structure, greetings and sign-offs. All staff should have their own personalised signature that includes their name and job title created from the Google sign off function. Slang, colloquial expressions and inappropriate statements should be avoided to prevent any offence and misunderstanding and make communication clear, concise and appropriate for everyone in our diverse international community. 6. Digital Law All software used by the school is either open sourced or registered to CIA FIRST International School. According to the accreditation requirements of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), cracked or counterfeit software is forbidden for educational use at the school. Furthermore, the school has a rigorous academic integrity policy that guards against any form of plagiarisation or copyright infringements and administers disciplinary measures for any infraction of this policy. To ensure the safe and legal use of the digital platform, the ICT department also disseminates filters on internet access for all students and staff at the school. Virtual Proxy Network uses to override these filters are forbidden on campus. Furthermore, students and staff identity should be protected at all times and this means that the sharing of passwords and login details between staff and students is strictly forbidden. Students are also taught not to give any personal information out to unknown or unencrypted parties online. The illegal downloading and uploading of any media is strictly forbidden. Hacking and cybercrime policy Definition of Hacking: Hacking is broadly defined as the act of breaking into a computer system or networks. Hacking isn't always a crime as "ethical hacking" occurs when a hacker is legally permitted to exploit security networks. In other words, it's when a hacker has the appropriate consent or authorization. However, hacking crosses the criminal line when a hacker accesses someone's computer system without such consent or authority. Hacking is a crime even if there was no malintent involved. The school has a strict procedure for the misuse or hacking of the technology systems on the campus or the use of the school systems or network to hack any system outside the school. The misuse of IT systems will be dealt with and the student or staff will have to face very strict consequences. Any kind of aid given to an external person or hacker that will help them to compromise the school systems is strictly prohibited. Disruption or attempted disruption of the IT infrastructure and network will have to face consequences and strict disciplinary action. The school holds the right to take disciplinary action, including dismissal of the student or staff and report them to the appropriate authorities if they have hacked or attempted to hack the school systems and have broken any local government of international laws. The hacker will also be liable for any damages and will have to compensate the school for all damages. 7. Digital Rights and Responsibilities All staff and students have the right to access information through the internet. This is integral to our inquiry-based, 21st-century skills centred curriculum and should be taken full advantage of. This also means that the school has a responsibility to maintain a strong internet connection throughout all learning environments. Care must be taken to maintain and service trusted Internet providers, signals and equipment so they are safe and fully functional at all times. 8. Digital Health and Well Being Students at CIA FIRST International School are taught to be extremely cautious about the websites they are accessing, to critically appraise all information for reliability and validity and not to be seduced by overtly attractive offers or requests. Cyberbullying, meaning targeting individuals for unwanted abuse, harassment or offensive remarks online is completely unacceptable and will be treated just as seriously and handled via restorative practices. Furthermore, accessing and/or disseminating inappropriate, graphic or offensive material online will be taken very seriously and there will be severe repercussions for the culprit. Physically, students and staff are encouraged to take regular breaks away from their screen and to physical exercise. Students and staff should wear appropriate eyewear for their sight needs and use equipment that suits their individual physical needs. 9. Digital Security All electronic devices at school should be stored in safe and secure places and only accessible to authorised personnel. Virus protection should be put on all devices that connect to the internet and these virus protection programmes should be from reputable and accredited sources. Furthermore, all efforts will be taken to protect information online, including permissions for access for only authorised parties. Students and staff are reminded to ensure their digital devices are never left unlocked and unattended to avoid any hacking temptation. Masquerading as another member of staff or a student is fraud and trespassing and will be treated as such. The exception would be those cases that are authorised by senior management. C. Policy Writer InformationThis policy was developed by James Kateley, acting High School Principal (2018-19). Consulted were:
D. Dissemination and Revision InstructionsThis policy will be made available schoolwide to all stakeholders through the Google Drive folder “Policies”. This policy will be revised annually or when deemed necessary by the CAT D team. E. ReferencesAccrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges: https://www.acswasc.org/ Date Accessed: 14th January 2019. Holt, T. and B. Schell (2013) Hackers and Hacking. California: ABC-CLIO, LLC McTighe J., Wiggins G. The Understanding by Design Handbook. Alexandra, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; 1999. Thomson Reuters "Definition of Hacking". https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/hacking-laws-and-punishments.html Mike Ribble’s 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship: http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/nine-elements.html Date Accessed: 14th January 2019 Pahomov, Larissa. Authentic Learning in the Digital Age: Engaging Students Through Inquiry. Alexandra, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; 2014
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