Use of ICT Systems – some words of caution



 

Use of computers, other ICT equipment, the internet and e-mail are now ubiquitous but familiarity and over-confidence can lead to a variety of problems, some of which can result in serious individual consequences including ill health and dismissal.

 

There are some basic facts that teachers need to recognize to maintain their health, safety and well being, not to mention their jobs.

 

Fact 1 – The laptop computer you are using today is almost certain to be school property even if you have been allowed to take it home and to employ it for personal use.

 

Fact 2 – As it is not your property, the school can require its return at any time and any use that has been made of the machine may be open to question by your employer.

 

Fact 3 – If you access websites or send or receive e-mails via your laptop or school computer using the school’s ICT system then you should assume that such traffic will be monitored.

 

Fact 4 – Your school is very likely to have a detailed policy on the use of School ICT systems which warns that breaches of the policy may result in disciplinary action including dismissal. Even if it does not have a policy, a judgment may be made that misuse has taken place and the consequence could be the same.

 

Fact 5 – Barnsley MBC has staff professionally trained in the forensic recovery of websites that have been accessed or other information that is on the machine.

 

 

The safest assumption is that there is no privacy with regard to any use that is made of school systems within and outside school hours,  that a teacher may have to answer for their use of the ICT systems, and that serious consequences can result.

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