School E-Mail and General Technology Information
An ISNS e-mail account will be provided for each teacher. This account should be used for all official school communications and should not be used for issues that are not school related. Any communication using e-mail or social media must be conducted in a professional and polite manner. Mass e-mails addressed to the entire staff should be avoided. To foster open communication, all pertinent individuals should be copied in e-mail communications. Those listed in the “cc” of an e-mail message need not respond as this indicates it is for information only. Teachers should respond to parents and colleagues within 24 hours of receiving a direct message, whenever possible. Teachers are not expected to respond immediately to e-mails after 4:00pm or on weekends. Please use the e-mail system with the understanding that it is a permanent record and the property of the school. Teachers may not expect that e-mail sent through the school system is private. E-mails may at times serve as an official record of communication.
Social media and other communication tools such as WeChat, Twitter and Skype are also used by the staff to communicate. These tools should be used appropriately and effectively for the right purpose. Staff social media groups should be inclusive of everyone.
Staff should avoid using personal e-mail and social media accounts during working hours.
Teachers must not access or download inappropriate or illegal material using the school/residence internet network or devices.
A MacBook computer will be provided for each full-time teacher to use for their professional needs. Teachers must return the MacBook in good condition to the IT office upon their departure from ISNS or pay for its repair or replacement.
If a teacher damages a device intentionally or through clear negligence, then the teacher will be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of the device. If a device is damaged due to an accident involving a teacher and the cause is determined not to be neglect but part of normal every-day use, then the school will bear the cost. An investigation into any incident involving damage or loss of ISNS-owned devices will be carried out by the Principal or Head of School in order to determine a fair and reasonable outcome.
With regards to ISNS-owned devices such as iPads and Macbooks that are assigned to and used by students:
Teachers must have a clear system in place for assigning devices to each student, tracking them and accounting for them at the end of each day. Teachers must ensure that their device storage cabinet is locked whenever they leave the classroom. If a teacher neglects to lock the storage cabinet and a device goes missing as a result, the teacher may be held accountable. If teachers ensure that all devices are in the proper storage cabinet at the end of each day, then locating missing devices should not be difficult.
Teachers are responsible for supervising students at all times when they have access to technology on campus.
Guiding Principles for the Use of MacBooks as a Learning Tool in the Classroom:
Teach and emphasize the phrase “lids down.” All students across all grades should know and respond to this immediately.
Teach Digital Citizenship. Be explicit in teaching students how to be responsible in using their MacBooks and the Internet. Remind students on every possible occasion about good digital citizenship.
Design lessons so that the use of technology is intentional. Have a specific purpose for the use of the MacBook. Designate the specific application/website/software to be used for each learning activity. Set a limited amount of time for completing assignments using the MacBook. Use the school’s security measures to limit students’ access to help insure that they are viewing only material that is age-appropriate.
Move about the classroom. Proximity is a great deterrent for all kinds of behavior issues!
Monitor what students are doing. Situate students so that their screens can be seen when they are on their MacBooks. Employ specialized software to assist with monitoring (but teachers should not sit behind their desks to monitor students from their computer).
Record and follow up on AUP violations. Employ appropriate consequences for students not following the rules. Serious issues involving technology can result in suspension.
Model proper MacBook use. Students observe what you are doing on your MacBook while they are in your classroom. Be mindful of your own actions. You are a powerful role model. MacBook use by teachers should be for instruction.
ISNS FACULTY 