Telecommunications
Definition
Telecommunications is a system that allows teachers and students access to a wide variety of information from electronic networks found on local, state, national, and international databases. Examples include the Internet, World Wide Web, telnet, E-mail, databases, discussion groups, government information, and bulletin boards
Purpose
Students, teachers, and administrators must use telecommunications solely for the advancement of educational goals, research and collaboration, and as a vehicle for communication.
The following are examples of behavior that is unethical and unacceptable and in some cases may violate state or federal law.
- Attempting to alter system software or hardware configurations
- Damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks
- Seeking to access another individual’s account, private files, or E-mail without permission
- Using another’s password
- Violating other user’s right to privacy
- Breaking or suggesting to break any civil laws
- Misrepresenting one’s identity in electronic communication
- Violating copyright agreements and laws
- Uploading or downloading anything but public domain software
- Violating rules or codes set by electronic resource providers
- Playing electronic games
- Using electronic resources for commercial or profit making without written permission from the provider
- Disobeying electronic resource provider’s policies, procedures, and protocol
- Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
- Using obscene language
- Harassing, threatening, insulting, or attacking others
- Trespassing in other’s folders, work, or files
- Intentionally wasting limited resources
- Restricting other’s use of network
If you need further information, please contact the Information Technology Department at 410.396.8500.
School's Responsibility
Each user must have the appropriate training for the proper use of this resource. This includes the skills necessary to:
- Discriminate among information sources
- Identify information appropriate to age development
The Office of Instructional Technology, Library, and Media Services and library media specialists will conduct appropriate training for building level use. They will integrate the skills needed to access and use electronic information in each subject's curriculum.
Responsibility of Users and Restriction of Access
Telecommunications will be conducted in a courteous manner with consideration of other users. In addition, users are expected to act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner.
Student use must be monitored by a teacher, and all student users must sign the Student Network Responsibility Contract before access is granted. As part of this process, users must be familiar with, and agree to follow, Telecommunications Etiquette.
Responsibility of Parents
Parents or guardians must sign the Parent or Guardian Network Responsibility Contract if the user is under the age of 18.
Liability
By its very nature, the free flowing, uncensored exchange of telecommunications has forced the issue of how and by whom the network should be used. The BCPSS is committed to the power of telecommunications in an educational environment and has taken all possible steps to prevent unlawful and unethical use.
Generally, acceptable use standards fall within the jurisdiction of a network's system administrator both in design and enforcement. Violators can expect termination of their accounts.
For more information about the telecommunications policy, contact the Information Technology Department at 410.396.8500
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