Web Services abandoned

DET has advised it will abandon plans for any further rollout beyond those schools that are currently using Web Services or are scheduled to be 'configured' during term 4.

Instead they propose to roll out a much simplified system of secure internet access through a DET portal which will require a user name and password and email accounts for students and teachers. The so-called Web Services function of chat, forum and web-page creation will no longer be part of the system.

The system will be adapted so that teachers can easily choose not to use email. Teachers who don't use email will no longer appear on any global address book.

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 nor any other unauthenticated email services.

There will be no requirement by the Department for teachers to use email, nor should there be at the school/college level.

DET and Federation will continue discussions on the matter of the potential for cyber-harassment of teachers. It has been acknowledged that a number of existing DET policies will need to be amended to provide for this.

Federation has not been able to achieve any further betterments in the level of technology support because that would require additional funding which the Government is not prepared to commit to. Technology support will need to be further pursued as a demand in the lead up to the next state election.

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Last Modified: 17 Nov 2005