Information Technology Update – November 23, 2017

Term 4 Cyber Safety Pastoral Care Program

Cyber Safety continues to be a core part of the Pastoral Care program being delivered to all students in Years 7 & 8 this term. The Cyber Safety Pastoral Care Program is designed to educate and support our children in the positive use of technology and the value it can add to our daily lives and at the same time try to make them aware of their responsibilities in being good people and users of that technology.

Topics that will be covered in Weeks 7 & 8 include:

• Digital Life: Trillion Dollar Footprint

  • What is a digital footprint, and what does yours convey?

    • Students learn that they have a digital footprint, which can be searched, shared, and seen by a large, invisible audience. Students then learn that they can take some control over their digital footprint based on what they post online. Students watch the video -The Digital Footprint- to learn how information online can easily get out of one’s control. They then examine the blog posts, photos, and profiles of two fictional host applicants for a TV show called -Trillion Dollar Footprint- and decide which would make a more honest host who works well with others. A key message of the lesson is that although online information provides an incomplete picture of a person, it can still affect how others view that person

• Brainpop: Information Privacy

  • Students discuss the Internet is a fun place–but that it can also be dangerous. Spammers, hackers, and identity thieves lurk in the corners of the World Wide Web, waiting to grab unsuspecting users’ personal information. In this BrainPOP movie, students are shown how they can keep themselves safe by keeping their personal information private! They will learn how to recognize and avoid the most common scams used by these digital criminals. They will also find out why it’s important to read a site’s privacy policy before entering with anyone you don’t know in real life. Finally, they will discover why it’s never a good idea to post information that they wouldn’t want your parents or teachers to see!

• Brainpop: Copyright

  • Students are welcome to the exciting world of copyright! In this BrainPOP movie, students will learn the basics copyright law. They will find out what a copyright is, and learn which types of work it protects. They will also see some examples of the rights extended to the author of a creative work like a book, song, or piece of art. In addition, they will discover what happens to a copyright once it expires. Students will also learn about about fair use, which allows people to use copyrighted works without permission.

• Digital Life: Rights of a creator

  • What rights do you have as a creator?

    • Students are introduced to copyright, fair use, and the rights they have as creators. Students first watch a video of young writer who talks about posting and protecting her original work online. Students then learn key vocabulary terms that will help them conceptualize issues surrounding creative work and copyright. Finally, students explore the copyright history of the -Happy Birthday- song and create an original happy birthday song of their own.

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End of Year 1:1 Device Health Check

As we approach the end of the year, it is a good time to check that your son’s device is in good condition. It would be great if you could take five minutes to check your son’s device to make sure that it is in good working condition. The school holidays are a good time to have any issues with the device repaired to enable all boys to start the 2018 school year with their 1:1 device in tip top shape. If your son uses an iPad, you can get the iPad repaired at an iPad/iPhone repair shop. If your son uses a notebook, the repairs must be carried at by the College IT team.

• iPads

• It has come to my attention that a number of students are using iPads that are in need of repairs. Also, some of the covers I have noticed are well worn and tatty and no longer provide the level of security that they did when new. Here are some of the things you could check with your son’s iPad:

  • Screen -“ are there any cracks?

  • Headphone jack -“ does it work properly?

  • Home button -“ is it working properly?

  • The iPad Casing or The iPad Itself-“ is it straight? Or is it bent? Are there any major dents?

  • iPad protective Cover -“ is it still in good condition and still providing a high level of protection?

  • iPad neoprene sleeve -“ does your son have a neoprene sleeve in good condition providing a high level of protection?

    • Please note -“ replacement iPad cases and neoprene sleeves are available from the College shop

• Should there be any problems with your sons iPad, please endeavour to have it repaired or replaced over the holiday break so that your son is not without a device at the beginning of the 2018 school year.

• HP Spectre Notebook

  • Any repairs that need carrying out must be done by the College ICT Hub as we are authorised HP repairers. Having repairs carried out by a non-authorised repairer will void the notebook warranty. If your son has any issues with his notebook it is important he brings the notebook to the ICT Hub for repairs. Some of the things you could check include

    • Screen -“ are there any cracks? Is it in good condition?

    • Keyboard -“ are all the keys present and in good working condition?

    • Notebook case -“ is it straight? Is it bent or are there any major dents?

    • Notebook TANC protective case -“ is it still in good condition and still providing a high level of protection?

    • Graffiti or stickers -“ the notebook looks unsightly dur to graffiti or stickers

  • If your son’s notebook needs repairs, he can leave at the College IT Hub at the end of the school year and they will repair the notebook over the school holidays and have it ready for use on day 1 2018 when your son returns to school.