Secure internet and email to be delivered in 2006
By Jennifer Leete
Web Services abandoned
Federation's ban on Web Services has been lifted.
As a consequence of the Department of Education and Training (DET) undertaking not to roll Web Services out beyond the schools that had been previously scheduled to receive it by the end of term 4, 2005 and further negotiations with the DET, Federation Council lifted the ban.
Apart from those schools which are currently using Web Services or were previously scheduled to be configured during term 4, no other school or DET worksite will use Web Services.
Instead, the DET, commencing in term 1, 2006 will convert other schools to a much simplified system of secure internet browsing and email. Access will be through a DET portal which will require a user name and password. The so-called Web Services functions of chat, forum and web-page creation will no longer be part of the system.
In negotiation with the DET many of the issues of concern to Federation about the use of email have now been addressed.
DET anticipates connecting all schools to the new secure internet and email system will be completed by the middle of 2006.
The new system provides for teachers to easily choose not to use the email service. Teachers who don't use email will not appear on any global address book. DET has confirmed in writing to Federation that: "there is no requirement by the Department, nor should there be any requirement at the school/college level for teachers to engage in email communication with staff, students or parents/caregivers" and "there is no requirement for teachers to access or use email outside of school/college hours".
Federation had insisted on these terms.
All transactions that take place through the new system will be logged and archived. From the DET portal there will be no provision for sending emails from Yahoo, Hotmail or any other 'unauthenticated' email services.
Use of email by teachers
Federation is well aware that many teachers already use email as part of their professional work. This facility will now be available in more secure environment to all teachers who choose to use it. Federation has a responsibility to alert all members to the need to use email in an appropriate professional way.
DET's current policy document Use by Staff of Employer Communication Devices is being revised and Federation will have input into the revised document.
All members must be fully aware that school computers, software, email and internet browsing are employer provided communication devices and DET has the right and the capacity to monitor their use (within the confines of NSW legislation on workplace surveillance) and investigate allegations of misuse.
Federation advises all members that they should never assume that email communications using employer communication devices and/or involving students, colleagues or parents/caregivers are private. They are not. Any such communication must be considered in the context of existing professional relationships. Further detailed written advice will be provided by the Federation.
In discussions with DET about the use of the internet and email, Federation has continued to raise concerns about the potential for cyber-harassment or bullying. Discussions with the DET are continuing on this matter with a view to having a number of DET policies amended and expanded to address this issue prior to the commencement of 2006.
Federation has had some reports that some DET officers are continuing to use the language of Web Services and, despite commitments given by the DET centrally, try to pressure schools into adding themselves to the Web Services list before the end of term 4. The union is pursuing this matter with the DET centrally. Throughout the dispute the advocates and disciples of Web Services were often reported to be using trickery. It seems like they can't help themselves.
Federation continues to have concerns about potential workload implications of the use of email and continues to regard the current level of technology support available to schools as inadequate.
Since placing the ban on Web Services in March 2004, the union has been pursuing the matter of the inadequate level of technology support in schools. This led to the announcement of the establishment of an additional 129 technology support positions, albeit not as quickly as the Federation wanted. The new Technology for Learning (T4L) computers come with technology support provided by the suppliers but the Federation has had very little feedback from schools about whether this is working effectively. In short, on the matter of technology support, we have not achieved as much as we need to address the issue.
The matter of additional funding from the Government for the provision of technology support will be pursued as a resource demand in the lead-up to the next state election.
Federation will continue to monitor the workload implications of email. The union asserts its confidence in the professional judgement of teachers and reaffirms its commitment to supporting any member, or group of members, who exercise their discretion to effectively manage their engagement with technological initiatives in their workplace. Teachers who may initially choose to use email may decide, at any time in the future, to disable their email account.
Jennifer Leete is the Deputy President.
For further information
December 2005 contents
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