Trustees toughen online policy

CRIMINAL offence -- pretty tough words, even tougher when students and parents sign forms acknowledging a criminal record could come out of Internet use.

Winnipeg School Division trustees have once again beefed up their 1997 policy on appropriate use of communication devices and online information resources, trying to keep pace with technology that changes overnight and which students seem to have mastered while still in their cribs.

The policy was last amended in 2007, prehistoric in technology terms.

Students who want to use the division's computer system and their parents must agree in writing that "any violation of the regulations is unethical and may constitute a criminal offence... Disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action may be taken."

The division wants uniformity in the rules in every school, and it's being far more precise in trying to keep pace with the capabilities of all the new devices and gadgets, says Doug Edmond, director of research, planning, and systems management.

"In 2007, there were no smartphones. The standard concern was the cellphone might go off in class," he said. "You're seeing (updated policies) that reflect the mobile technology."

The policy goes far beyond just use of division computers, which already block an enormous number of websites and all social-networking sites.

The division warns that it will use programs to determine the authenticity of student papers -- online tools to find plagiarized material.

WSD makes it clear it will impose discipline for any online threat or intimidation occurring off the school property which disrupts a school or harms the physical or mental wellbeing of students or staff.

Principals must tell students the acceptable use of each device within a school, if any, said Edmond, and when students and parents sign their Internet agreements with the school, "It's right there in black and white, here's the responsibilities," he said.

The division will permit absolutely no online publication of any materials gathered within a school which identify students and staff by name, photograph or address.

Principals will still sign off on any use of recording devices within a school for assigned projects, science fairs and other school events, but students are expressly forbidden from posting any school material on the Internet without the principal's authorization, said Edmond.

He declined to discuss whether any of the provisions resulted from last school year's controversy, after two now-former teachers performed a lap dance with simulated oral sex at a school spirit event at Churchill High. Students recorded the event and posted it on YouTube, where it went globally viral.