Technology Use
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES
This section describes the policies and guidelines for the use of the program and exists to ensure that all students are aware of and understand their responsibilities when accessing and using resources.
Administration reserves the right to update or alter this agreement at any time. Such revisions may substantially alter access to OVCA’s instructional computing resources. Instructional computing resources include any computer, software, or transmission system that is owned, operated, or leased by OVCA.
Students enrolled in the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy should be aware of the following guidelines and expectations. Any activity that is not listed here, which violates local, state, or federal laws, is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Guidelines.
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in the:
- Removal of student access to OVCA’s instructional computing resources, which could result in his/her inability to complete learning activities.
- Suspension or expulsion from OVCA.
- Involvement with law enforcement agencies and possible legal action.
Accountability
- Posting anonymous messages is not permitted unless authorized by the course’s online teacher. Impersonating another person is also strictly prohibited.
- Students must use only their own user names and passwords and must not share these with anyone.
- Students may not interfere with other users’ ability to access the OLS or disclose anyone’s password to others or allow them to use another user’s account. Students are responsible for all activity that is associated with their usernames and passwords.
- Students should change their password(s) frequently, at least once per semester or course is encouraged.
- Students must not publicly post their personal contact information (address and phone number) or anyone else’s.
- Students must not publicly post any messages that were sent to them privately.
- Students must not upload, transmit, or post material that is intended for personal gain or profit, non- academy commercial activities, non-academy product advertising, or political lobbying on a school owned instructional computing resource.
- Students may not use academy instructional computing resources to sell or purchase any illegal items or substances.
- Students may not upload, download, or install any software on academy instructional computing resources that are not specifically required and approved for student assignments.
- Students may not post any MP3 files, compressed video, or other non- instructional files to any academy server.
Inappropriate Behavior
OVCA retains the right to remove content or files from a Dropbox/File Share folder, content from discussions, and profile pictures without advance notice or permission of the user when the content is found to be inappropriate or offensive.
Inappropriate or offensive content includes, but is not limited to:
- insults or attacks of any kind against another person,
- obscene, degrading, or profane language,
- harassment (continually posting unwelcome messages to another person) or use of threats,
- material that is obscene or defamatory or which is intended to annoy, harass or intimidate another person. This includes “spam” mail, chain e- mail, viruses, or other intentionally destructive content.
- derogatory comments, including those regarding race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, political persuasion, body type, physical or mental health, or access issues.
Monitoring
Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy reserves the right to review any material transmitted using academy instructional computing resources or posted to an academy instructional computing resource to determine the appropriateness of such material. OVCA may review this material at any time, with or without notice. E-mail transmitted via an academy instructional computing resources is not private and may be monitored.
Indemnification Provision
OVCA assumes no responsibility for information obtained via the Internet, which may be illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or offensive. OVCA assumes no responsibility for any claims, losses, damages, costs, or other obligations arising from the use of instructional computing resources. OVCA also denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through user access. Any statement, accessible on the computer network or the Internet, is understood to be the author’s individual point of view and not that of OVCA, its affiliates, or its employees. OVCA assumes no responsibility for damages to the user’s computer system. OVCA assumes no responsibility for charges received by students or families by their cell phone or mobile providers.
STUDENT INTERNET SAFETY
Students must not reveal on the Internet personal information about themselves or other persons. For example, a student should not reveal his/her name, home address, telephone number, or display photographs of him/herself or others to persons outside of OVCA.
Students cannot agree to meet in person with anyone they have met only on the Internet and who is not affiliated with OVCA. First meetings with fellow students should be at school sponsored events.
Students cannot agree to meet in person with anyone they have met only on the Internet and who is not affiliated with OVCA. First meetings with fellow students should be at school sponsored events.
SOCIAL SESSIONS AND SHARING CONTACT INFORMATION
Students are permitted to share contact information during online social sessions held in Zoom/Newrow or other online platform with parent/legal guardian permission. Only students whose parent/legal guardian have completed the electronic permission slip will be able to attend the optional online session where contact information may be shared. Sessions are monitored by OVCA staff, but it is the responsibility of the parent to discuss personal family rules and expectations regarding which contact information may be shared with classmates.
Parents are further advised that information and images shared during these social sessions may be available to all users of these sessions and are therefore no longer
private. OVCA cannot guarantee the security of information that is disclosed or communicated online in such sessions, and parents authorize the release of such
information at their own risk. The right to participate in social sessions is a privilege. If, in the sole and exclusive opinion of OVCA, the conduct of a student warrants the termination of this privilege, a student will be removed from the social sessions.
Learning Coaches can engage with one another within the LC Community Group (In K12 App). It is a place to provide effective ways for Learning Coaches to communicate with each other and provide resources that will enhance the support of their student(s).
WEBCAM POLICY
OVCA teachers and students are encouraged to use webcams during online sessions. This Face to Face interaction can increase relationships and strengthen the learning process. The webcam environment must be sterile and appropriate for schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring a home learning environment that complies with OVCA’s requirements for webcam usage. This includes, but is not limited to, a visual or audible learning environment viewable during class connect sessions that is free of any signs, flags, symbols, words, or pictures that may be considered obscene, discriminatory, or profane. The failure to comply with applicable policies and the Compact should result in disciplinary action consistent with the Student Conduct and Discipline. To verify student engagement, students may be required to turn on webcam and interact with OVCA staff. OVCA may move forward with student safety protocols if staff are unable to connect with students in a face to face setting (Webcam,Zoom, Newrow, etc).
NETWORK ETIQUETTE
Students are expected to follow the rules of network etiquette or netiquette. The word "netiquette" refers to common-sense guidelines for conversing with others online. Students are encouraged to abide by these standards:
- Establish instant message user names and e-mail addresses that are appropriate for the school setting.
- Avoid sarcasm, jargon, and slang. Swear words are unacceptable.
- Never use derogatory comments, including those regarding race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, political persuasion, body type, physical or mental health, or access issues.
- Focus your responses on the questions or issues being discussed, not on the individuals involved.
- Be constructive with your criticism, not hurtful.
- Review your messages before sending them. Remove easily misinterpreted language and proofread for typos.
- Respect other people’s privacy. Do not broadcast online discussions, and never reveal other people's e-mail addresses.
This information is from the Board-approved OVCA Handbook for SY 2023-2024, revised August 2023.