Learner acceptable use of Information & Communication Technology at TasTAFE
This Acceptable use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy for Learners has been developed by TasTAFE to ensure learners understand their specific rights and responsibilities in relation to use of TasTAFE ICT resources.
TasTAFE has zero tolerance for the abuse, harm, or neglect of children and young people. This commitment extends to all digital environments and the use of TasTAFE ICT resources. Learners must use ICT systems and resources in ways that support the safety and wellbeing of themselves and others.
Prior to logging on to TasTAFE ICT resources all learners will indicate their agreement to the usage requirements contained within this policy.
This policy must be read in adherence with the Bring Your Own Device Policy and Procedure.
The use of TasTAFE ICT resources must comply with relevant state and Commonwealth laws.
Learner Acceptable Use of Information & Communication Technology Policy
It is noted that while some uses of TasTAFE ICT resources may not constitute criminal activity, they may breach standards of conduct expected of TasTAFE learners and therefore considered as inappropriate use.
Any misuse of TasTAFE ICT resources is strictly prohibited.
Misuse includes, but is not limited to:
- Inappropriate Material
- Acessing and/or attempting to access, downloading and/or attempting to download, sending, displaying, disseminating, transmitting, storing or viewing by or through whatever means, any pornographic or sexually explicit material or other material with sexual context that may be considered offensive, obscene or inappropriate for the work environment. Such inappropriate material may include, but is not limited to, jokes, emails, images, video files, sound bites, screensavers, internet links, or any other formats containing sexual content, innuendo or reference.
- Discriminatory material
- accessing and/or attempting to access, downloading and/or attempting to download, sending, displaying, disseminating, transmitting, storing or viewing by or through whatever means, any material which is considered profane, discriminatory, harassing, defamatory, confronting or similarly inappropriate for the work environment. Such inappropriate material may include, but is not limited to, jokes, emails, images, video files, sound bites, screensavers, internet links, or any other formats containing, for example, profane language, acts of violence (including violence or denigration of women), or discriminatory or harassing content.
- Humiliating others
- initiating or forwarding any defamatory, offensive, threatening or harassing material and/or emails
- engaging in conduct through the use of TasTAFE ICT resources that offends, humiliates, intimidates, insults or ridicules another person.
- Distributing information and Copyright laws
- the initiation and/or distribution of unauthorised and unsolicited information of a social, political, religious, or commercial nature.
- downloading, installing, transmitting, publishing, and accessing/using unlicensed software or information without TasTAFE approval and/or in a way that violates copyright law
- Unauthorised access
- the unwarranted or unauthorised access, duplication or distribution of client, staff or other confidential information or records belonging to TasTAFE.
- the unauthorised access or use of any system, account, password or mailbox.
- forging or misrepresenting identity using electronic facilities and/or performing any activity using an anonymous or misleading identity.
- Conflict of Interest
- undertaking private commercial activities using TasTAFE facilities.
- engaging in conduct using Web 2 technologies and resources such as blogs, wikis, social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter etc.) that presents personal views, ideas, questions, or actions that are in conflict with, but not limited to, the Learner Code of Conduct policy and the Learner Rights and Obligations supporting document.
- Learners should not utilise TasTAFE ICT resources to present personal views, ideas, questions, or actions as representing TasTAFE.
Network usage, system files, and software
- Network congestion can seriously affect the speed and performance of TasTAFE's computing facilities for all users. Audio or video files, games and Internet chat sites may only be accessed or downloaded if they are genuinely related to the classwork assigned to the learner.
- Learners must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to any information resources, systems (including electronic mail systems) or networks or interfere with another user's work. The Internet must not be used to gain unauthorised access to other computers.
- System files, system configurations, folders and other technical data must not be altered.
- Learners must not inappropriately modify or destroy TasTAFE data or electronic records.
- All software (licensed, shareware, freeware, evaluation or otherwise) including system, application or data files may only be downloaded and installed if the license conditions on the software allow them to be installed on TasTAFE equipment.
- Any use of TasTAFE ICT resources should ensure that there is no possibility of transmission of viruses or programs that may harm data or computer hardware and software. No e-mail attachment should be opened if received from an unknown source or topic.
- Learners are responsible for maintaining the security of their account with a valid and appropriate password.. Individuals will be held responsible for any activity under their account and therefore Learners should ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect their log in details and secure their account when the computer is left unattended.
Cyber Security
- Any use of TasTAFE ICT resources should ensure that there is no possibility of transmission of viruses or programs that may harm data or computer hardware and software. No e-mail attachment should be opened if received from an unknown source or topic.
- Learners are responsible for maintaining the security of their account with a valid and appropriate password.. Individuals will be held responsible for any activity under their account and therefore Learners should ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect their log in details and secure their account when the computer is left unattended.
Consequences of misuse
TasTAFE has a zero-tolerance approach to accessing, attempting to access, downloading, attempting to download, sending, displaying, disseminating, transmitting, storing, or viewing by or through whatever means material considered to be of a pornographic or sexually explicit nature.
Where a non-criminal breach has occurred learners will be subject to disciplinary action aligning to the Managing Learner Behaviour Procedure, Child Safe Code of Conduct and Code of Conduct Policy.
If it appears that a breach of criminal law has occurred, the matter will be referred to Tasmania Police.