Information Technology Policy

SREENIDHI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLAZIZ NAGAR VILLAGE MOINABAD MANDAL, RR DISTRICT HYDERABAD - 500075 WEB: www.sis.edu.in, Email: info@sis.edu.in

Sreenidhi International School

Mission Statement

“Sreenidhi International School is a vision translated into reality of giving students a modern, meaningful and wholesome education. We have made this possible through an ongoing conversation between students, teachers and parents.

Our aim is to ensure that every child learns to be intellectually sceptical yet optimistic, doubting yet positive, unconventional yet constructive, competitive but not destructive. A student who studies at Sreenidhi will be a renaissance individual in a universal sense.”

International Baccalaureate

Mission Statement

“The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through inter-cultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”

IB Learner Profile

Inquirers: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.

Knowledgeable: We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.

Thinkers: We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators: We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.

Principled: We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.

Open-Minded: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring: We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.

Risk-Takers: We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.

Balanced: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives— intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.

Reflective: We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.

Outline:• ICT philosophy• The role of ICT to support teaching and learning- All Curriculums• The position of ICT in the curriculum• Organizational structures and staffing• Resources • IT Usage Policy for Students and Staff

1. ICT PhilosophyThrough digital technology we equip children to participate in a rapidly-changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. We enable them to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in a discriminating and effective way. ICT skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners.

The 3 E’s

• Enhancing - To significantly alter the way that teaching and learning takes place using ICT.

• Extending - Deeper learning through ICT based teaching and learning resources.

• Empowering - Students take control of learning. They use ICT to research and manage their own learning.

The aims of ICT are to enable children:• To develop ICT capability in finding, selecting and using information;• To help students identify their interest and help students make career choices

in field of Information Technology• To use ICT for effective and appropriate communication;• To apply hardware and software to creative and appropriate uses of

information;• To apply their ICT skills and knowledge to their learning in other areas, and

ultimately to use it to self-assess, monitor and plan their own learning;• To use their ICT skills to develop their language and communication skills;

• To explore their attitudes towards ICT and its value to them and society in general. For example, to learn about issues of security, confidentiality and accuracy.

The Role of ICT to support teaching and learning- All CurriculumsICT in the school is integral to teaching & learning and uses a range of digital tools, media and learning environment. ICT provides opportunities to students to investigate to find answers using ICT tools, create ICT tools, communicate their learning and share ideas, views and feedback through ICT, collaborate to participate in sharing & creating knowledge and organize ideas and understanding systems to be used. As students engage with ICT they come across to a deeper understanding of the tool as well as its usage in everyday life.Throughout the school the focus of ICT is to learn to use technology as well as enhance learning throughout the curriculum. It is a tool for learning and using the skills in various subject areas.

The position of ICT in the curriculum Scheme of Work for ICT

In order to ensure complete coverage of the various curricula , we have a curriculum map for ICT. The ICT curriculum has a creative, flexible and multi-disciplined focus to ensure that our students are effectively engaged in their learning, that they have the opportunity to use ICT in a variety of different ways. The approach allows students the opportunity to extend their learning by combining different ICT skills to create work that they can be proud of.

In the Primary Years Programme.

The responsibility for learning about and through ICT is shared by all teachers. Students are encouraged to inquire into the usage of the ICT beyond the curriculum too. The ICT curriculum looks at the following 6 skills as relevant to all investigate, create, communicate, collaborate and organize as well as be responsible citizens.

The role of all PYP teachers is to create authentic learning engagements using and creating opportunities to use ICT. They are all responsible for using ICT to it’s best effect throughout the curriculum. ICT facilitates students to become responsible digital citizens who exhibit skills, apply knowledge and are honest.

We also acknowledge that there is a need for the students to learn the skills to be able to implement this in their learning and hence we offer ICT as a single subject for all grades (nursery- 5) as once a week lesson of 40 minutes. During this time the home room teacher also collaborates with the ICT teacher and they look at the skills which would facilitate students make transdisciplinary connections.

In the Middle Years Programme. Technology literacy is used • As a means of expanding students’ knowledge of the world in which they live• As a channel for developing concepts and skills• As a powerful communication tool.

ICT provides a wide range of resources and applications for teachers to explore in order to enhance teaching and learning. Technology literacy is interwoven in the MYP curriculum.The Design technology enables students to understand the approach to product life cycle.

Design, and the resultant development of new technologies, has given rise to profound changes in society: transforming how we access and process information; how we adapt our environment; how we communicate with others; how we are able to solve problems; how we work and live.

Design is the link between innovation and creativity, taking thoughts and exploring the possibilities and constraints associated with products or systems, allowing them to redefine and manage the generation of further thought through prototyping, experimentation and adaptation. It is human-centred and focuses on the needs, wants and limitations of the end user( Reference- IB Design Guide-2014)At Sreenidhi International school we help students incorporate ICT tools effectively in their designs which may or may not be related to an IT product directly.

In the Diploma Programme. The Diploma programme offers the Information technology in global society(ITGS) and Computer Science subject choices at HL and SL levels to students, the course outline is developed for two years study and teachers ensure that all aims and objectives of the subject are met effectively, the use of ICT is not limited to the subjects alone, all subject teachers are expected to incorporate and use ICT skills in their planning. Regular collaborative planning ensure that the staff shares amongst themselves the best practices of using IT tools. Specialised subject specific softwares are also used by teachers to enhance ATL’s in their subject area.

ATL Skills and ICT

ATL Skills Student Learning Expectations

Key Questions

Communication Literacy:

including reading strategies, using and interpreting a range of content-specific terminologyBeing informed:including the use of a variety of mediaInforming others:including presentation skills using a variety of media

What communication tools do I use?

Which ways of communicating do I need to improve on?

How can I better communicate my understanding?

Informationliteracy

Accessing information:including researching from a variety of sources using arange of technologies, identifying primary and secondary sourcesSelecting and organizing information:including identifying points of view, bias and weaknesses,using primary and secondary sources, making connectionsbetween a variety of resourcesReferencing:including the use of citing, footnotes and referencing ofsources, respecting the concept of intellectual property rights.

How can I access information?

How do I know if the information is reliable?

What will I do with thisinformation?

Applications of ICT in IB-MYP and DP Programmes

• Databases and spreadsheets• Graph plotter software• Dynamic geometry software• Computer algebra systems• Programming languages• Subject content-specific software• The uses of Graphic display calculators (GDC)• Use of Internet search engines to source materials• Researching using CD-Roms• Word processing or desktop publishing• Graphic organizers.• Creating presentations• Use of Computer Aided Design• Simulating stresses on bridge beams• Virtual battle re-enactments• Games as learning tools/facilitators• Learning language software/CDs• Video and video editing• Creating Podcasts/MP3s/Audio files• Video conferencing

In IGCSE

The school offers to the students IGCSE-ICT syllabus( paper- 0417), the students are trained in the theory and practical papers. The school’s Scheme of work is aligned to meet the expectations of IGCSE examination. A wide verity of tools are used by other subject teachers to support their teaching in classroom, students work collaboratively and independently making effective use of ICT skills.

In ICSE & ISC

The National curriculum offers Computer Applications at the grade 10 level and computer Science course at grade 12. Students are offered this choice.The expectations of the syllabus are to effectively use the office tools, understand the importance of system design. Java is offered as a programming language to students of grade 9 and above.

Cross-curricular ICT

As a school we are committed to using the best tools for teaching and learning in any given subject area and the Head of Department -IT works alongside other curricula co-ordinators to ensure that there is appropriate provision of resources, including software and hardware. That the needs of students at all grade levels are met and the syllabus is vertically aligned.

Classroom Practice

A range of teaching and learning styles are reflected in teachers’ planning, assessment and classroom practice. These include:• Using the computer or appropriate presentation technologies (i.e. data projector,

Interactive whiteboard etc) to demonstrate to a group of students or the whole class.

• Individual, paired or group work developing ICT concepts and skills using electronic media.

• Collaborative and co-operative activities in groups. Use of collaborative web 2.0 technologies.

• Guided discussion and evaluation of work-in-progress and finished work electronically using web 2.0.

• Students working individually either independently or supported by an adult.

DifferentiationPlanning and assessment of ICT show appropriate differentiation. Teaching assistants and other adults provide appropriately focused support.

VocabularyWhere appropriate, students are taught the correct subject specific and technical vocabulary consistently across the school and are given opportunities to consolidate their understanding.

Assessment, recording and reportingStudents ICT work is kept electronically, wherever possible. Each child also receives a termly report at the end of each term as well as an annual review at the end of the academic year. 

ICT and School AdministrationThe administration ICT is overseen by the Head of Department-IT .

Where possible Administration and Curriculum ICT are integrated to enable effective collection of student data; to reduce duplication of data; enable better analysis and monitoring of performance and support target setting.

Good use of integrated ICT provides us with greater access to management information held by the Quick School and ManageBac for Curricula requirements.

 Resources & Action plan

At Sreenidhi International School all classrooms have a teacher’s computer, two ICT labs with 35 and 20 systems respectively, 15 mobile laptops in the PYP for developing skills, applying, creating, investigating and collaborating throughout the curriculum.Most of the classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards.

The school has an animation lab where students work during hobby lessons and create animations. A dedicated resource centre with Mac machines is dedicated for student research work.The School library has a rich collection of ebooks for reference, the school also subscribes to digital resource libraries like the Questia. The school is in the process of purchasing ebuddy library for PYP classes.

The School plans to go one on one with laptops in the senior school starting June 2015. In the following years the school aims to have one on one laptops/ tablets for all students. Also the school will be adopting a pilot project of iPad starting July 2015.

Roles & responsibilities of members of the school community with respect to the ICT provision & usage

Senior Management- The Senior management team is responsible for creating ICT policy in collaboration with IT team. Plan and execute the budget for each academic year. Ensure that the school complies with the national standards of IT requirements for schools.

Head of IT Department: is responsible for:• Meeting statutory ICT requirements.• Presenting an Annual IT Budget to the Senior Mangement Team.• Ensuring that there is an ICT policy and that it is implemented.• Reviewing and updating the ICT policy with the Senior Management Team.• Ensuring that the IT Administrator is effectively line managed and supported.• Monitoring and evaluating the purchase of ICT equipment.• Develop a whole school curriculum for ICT in collaboration with ICT facilitators.• Ensure smooth working of IT facilities in collaboration with IT admin team• Ensure that effective communication is facilitated among all stakeholders of the

school.• Continuously engage in implementing new technology that will enhance Student

learning.• Plan Strategy for access of resources.• Manage Admin accounts for all channels of communication.• Maintain relations with external agencies regarding the use of ICT. • Liaison with other schools.

Administration- It is the responsibility of the IT administration includes but not limited to the given details below, the IT admin team must ensure

- All systems are up and running at all times- Health check of systems is carried out on regual intervals- The school network is up and running at all times- All have access to school internet through intranet and wifi access.- All software are updated. Only licence copies are installed- Staff has UserID on the server and allocate working space for staff.-Smooth working of Biometric and EPBX machines- Anti Virus updates

-Regular maintenance of UPS, Network devices, Biometric machines, EPBX, Computers, Laptops, Printers, Xerox machines.- Safety norms are met at all times.

They must also- Maintain the School Email Portal- Report any malicious activity on server, email and print servers- Regularly update the school website- Look into the service request from teachers regarding hardware or software problems. - Recommend replacements of old machines-Maintain inventory of all IT equipment- Issue and return of IT equipment given to staff.

Pedagogical leaders- It is the responsibility of Pedagogical leaders to liaison the HoD-IT and recommend IT curricula requirements( Hardware/ Software) for each year, considering the change and growing need of technological integrations. They must also collaborate with Head of IT Department in preparing the ICT curriculum for the whole school.

ICT facilitators- ICT facilitators are responsible for creating the detail curriculum for each grade and they must prepare the timeline of implementing these each year. They must ensure that the whole school curriculum is vertically and horizontally aligned.All ICT facilitators are required to equip students with ICT skills to be used with other subjects also, transdiciplinary units must be prepared in connection with other subject teachers.ICT facilitators are required to upgrade their skills by attending workshops and higher course to keep abreast with ever changing technology.The ICT facilitators are also required to conduct training sessions for staff on a regular basis to equip them with latest in technology. Sessions must be focused on helping the staff integrate technology effectively in their lessons.ICT facilitators also ensure that the students and staff are aware of cyber safety and ethical use of technology.

Students-The students have access to desktop computer in the labs laptops and ipads for research and learn in all subjects across the curriculum. They need to take care of the machine as much as of themselves while using the same. They should be respectful of other student’s work as well as equipments and avoid making changes without permission.

The students should switch- off laptops and close ipads when not in use. Logging on from own account, seek adult support and guidance and giving credits to the source should be followed.

Teachers - It is the responsibility of every teacher to plan and teach appropriate ICT activities and support the ICT team in monitoring & recording student progress in ICT. All teachers must abide by the responsible internet usage in school and the rules. They must use the ICT across the curriculum and provide interactive resources to the students. The teachers should encourage and motivate students to use internet to enhance their learning.Developing their own capability to support their teaching and students’ learning. Report faults to the It admin team.

Role of ICT in communication-ICT plays a vital role in communication with all stakeholders. A number of mediums allow access to information

Staff:The IT department enrols all staff members to the school email account. It is expected that the staff will use only this account for all official communications within and outside the school.

Staff has access to ERP software Quick school and ManageBac for planning, recording and reporting for all students.Staff is also trained to use Google Doc’s for collaborative planning and working.Services from a SMS service help in sending bulk messages to the staff.

Students:Senior school students also have email Id’s on school email server, Managebac accounts for students is created for working on assignments and submissions.Teachers communicate to students online via email and ManageBac.

Parents:ICT tools are vital in communicating to parents.Circulars are updated regularly on the school blog and the school website.

Parents have access to ManageBac portal, where they can track the activities in class as well as the students performance.

Bulk SMS service and group email Id’s enables us to regularly update parents with happenings at school.

Outside World:The school website is the window to the outside world, relevant information is available for prospective parents and forms that enable us to reach out to them.

The IT department continuously strive to improve the channel of communication with all stakeholders.

Hardware and PeripheralsThe school aims to offer a wide range of ICT resources, including communication aids, switches and other appropriate devices. An annual audit of ICT equipment is carried out in house so that refurbishment and provision for new technologies can be included in Development Planning.

SoftwareAll students have use of software covering the breadth of the curriculum and access to it. Software is also used to enhance and support all forms of communication. Computers also have a suitable student interface, to facilitate use of applications and avoid damage to software.

Legal Issues

E-Safety

All use of computer equipment is governed by an Acceptable Use of ICT policy.

Copyright and data protection

We ensure that we have legal licences for all our software and we will not re-publish any scanned or digitised images without checking copyright. We ensure data protection, for example in the case of transferring student data or publishing images of students.

Computer security and virus protection

We strive to make equipment readily available and yet secure. All feasible equipment is security marked and all computers are virus protected.

Insurance

The managed service provider maintains a register of equipment that falls within service (eg. computers, interactive whiteboards, projectors, telephones), and the IT administrator maintains a record of hardware that falls outside the scope of the managed service (eg. cameras, camcorders, external hard drives).

* Please read the following policies in addition to the above policy

IT Usage Policy

Scope

This policy relates to all computer use and access to workstations, laptops and other electronic devices at Sreenidhi International School.

PreambleAccess to the internet is provided for the purposes for educational research and learning. The purpose of this policy is to provide rules for appropriate use of all types of Information technology and the internet.

Students and parents are asked to read carefully the following student agreement.The user is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving the school computers, networks andInternet services and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts.

User Policy and safety rulesExamples of unacceptable uses that are expressly prohibited include but are not limited to the following: Accessing Inappropriate Materials -

Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, forwarding, downloading, scanning or displaying materials that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal;

1. Illegal Activities - Using School Department computers, networks and Internet services for any illegal activity or activity that violates other School Department policies, procedures and/or school rules.

2. Violating Copyrights - Copying or downloading copyrighted materials without the owner's permission.

3. Plagiarism - Representing as one's own work any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, etc.). When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher and web site must be identified.

4. Copying or Installing Software – Copying, downloading or installing software through school’s internet without the expressed authorization of the computer system administrator.

5. Non-School Related Uses - Using networks and Internet services for non-school related purposes such as private financial gain, commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes, or for any other personal use.

6. Misuse of Passwords and Unauthorized Access - Sharing passwords, using other users’ passwords and/or accessing other users’ accounts.

7. Malicious Use or Vandalism - Any malicious use, disruption or harm to School Department computers, networks and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities, breaching of security features, and creating, uploading or spreading computer viruses.

8. Unauthorized Access to Chat Rooms, Instant Messaging or Newsgroups - Accessing chat rooms, instant messaging or newsgroups without specific authorization from the supervising teacher.

9. Negatively Impacting Network Capacity – Engaging in activities that cause unreasonable demand on network capacity or disruption of system operation including but not limited to downloading large files without permission from the computer system administrator.

10. Social Networking- Use of social networking sites is strictly prohibited in school. Students below age of 18 according to National Cyber law are not eligible to have a account on Facebook , Google + or any other social networking site. Creating a false electronic record is an offence under the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code .Please refer to sections of IT Law for reference. We request parents to refrain their wards from having accounts at these sites.

11. National Cyber Law - Computing, network, and Internet resources must not be used to knowingly violate the laws and regulations of the country or any other nation, or the laws and regulations of any state, city, province, or local jurisdiction in any material way.

12. Ownership - Students have no right of ownership or expectation of personal privacy to their Internet usage, including personal computers or laptops while on the SNIS campus. It is possible to monitor network and Internet usage, and SNIS reserves the right to inspect any and all network traffic and files at any time. SNIS reserves the right, without notice, to limit or restrict any computer, network or Internet usage.

13. Privacy Policy - No one may use SNIS facilities to monitor use of computing or network resources by any other individual, or perform any probing, scanning, "sniffing," or vulnerability testing, except as otherwise provided by SNIS policies or law.

14. Virus - No one may use SNIS computer, network, or Internet facilities to deliberately propagate any virus, worm, Trojan horse, trap-door, or back-door program code or knowingly disable or overload any computer system, network, or to circumvent any system intended to protect the privacy or security of another user.

15. Violating Filtration - No one may install, remove, or otherwise modify any software for the purpose of bypassing, avoiding, or defeating any filtering, monitoring, or other security measures SNIS may have in place, except as otherwise provided by SNIS policies.

MANDATORY GUIDELINES

1. Laptop is to be used for only academic purpose under supervision of dorm parents/ Teachers at designated locations.

2. The laptops should not have any objectionable data at any point of time in it. (Videos other than related to academics, songs and movies, songs are not to be stored in any format.)

3. The school has full authority to check any student’s laptops at any point of time in his/her presence/absence.

4. The school does not take any responsibility for the authenticity of software installed on laptops. All the software should be licensed.

5. The laptops should be used during specified time as decided by dorm incharge/ Teachers only.

6. The school’s WIFI connection will be allowed only after the written permission from Principal / SMT However, if sanctioned, the net must only be used for academic/research purpose. Downloading of any other material is strictly prohibited.

7. Any student found accessing any restricted site which is not meant for him / her will be penalized and the same may lead to the school authority confiscating his / her laptop.

8. The students are solely responsible for his/ her laptops.9. The school authority has full rights to make any change in the laptops for

academic purpose.10.Any chat applet, messenger and social networking sites are strictly not

allowed.11.Students can check their e-mails only during time decided by dorm parent.12.Headphones, Earphones, Gaming device and any similar kind of device are

not allowed in the academic block.13.Students need to deposit their hard disks or pen drives with Grade Tutors and

use only when required under supervision.14.The school authority has full rights to check any portable storage device of the

students.15.The student’s laptop should not have games and movies stored in it. Only

videos related to academics should be stored.

16.The laptop should also not have personal photos and videos in it which might be objectionable. Students willing to keep photos and videos must get them approved by IT department.

SNIS reserves the rights to confiscate the laptop in case the above points are violated.

( Students and parents to sign the Agreement on page #  after reading the policy)

Student must not1. Change the IP or any other configuration related to use of SNIS’s computers2. Knowingly infringe copyright.3. Download programs or games. (Except for Anti-Virus updates)Infractions of these policies constitute misuse of SNIS assets and therefore are considered violations of SNIS   Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary actions sanctioned under relevant provisions of SNIS Rules and Regulations

SREENIDHI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

AZIZ NAGAR VILLAGE MOINABAD MANDAL, RR DISTRICT HYDERABAD - 500075 WEB: www.sis.edu.in, Email: info@sis.edu.in