The immersion of digital technologies into the education sector has presented many questions in terms of ethics, legalities, policy and process. School’s moving into the digital realm have not only had to focus on capabilities, pedagogy, equity and outcomes but also had to manage and maneuver through a raft of legislation, policy and guidelines to ensure they are keeping their communities safe. New Zealand’s Ministry of Education promotes a “learn, guide, protect” model, developed to guide young people’s learning in the digital world (MOE, n.d). ‘Learn’ focuses on student citizenship, values and competencies. ‘Guide’ covers students and the wider community including whanau engagement, teacher capabilities, student engagement and online safety. ‘Protect’ centers on policies, monitoring and technical restrictions, incident response and reporting (MOE).
This model offers guidance to schools with a focus on the what, why and how of online learning and the areas to be closely addressed in using devices and technology safely in a learning environment. Each element of the model provides schools with specific areas requiring development and a shared understanding between the school, students and whanau.
The advent of online learning and real-time reporting opens a wide raft of considerations for schools. At a governance level, school boards are responsible for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of their community. There has been much to develop in recent years and more evolving in regard to policy and legislation in relation to technology and digital practice in schools and much of this is under the umbrella of Health, Safety and Wellbeing policies. In many schools boards with agency support from the New Zealand Trustees Association have developed information and communication technology policies such as; Digital Technology and Cyber Safety; Health, Safety and Welfare; Surrender and Retention of Digital Devices and Bullying and Responding to Digital Incidences (School Docs, n.d). These policies provide the framework for schools to work within the digital space, but as the space evolves, they require regular review to ensure they remain relevant and up to date.
Safety and privacy are threatened in schools with online cyber attacks increasing since the 2020 COVID lockdowns in New Zealand (Kenny, K. 2021). Schools have to be constantly aware of what students are accessing and what is accessible in the learning space. Schools are blocking more and more websites containing harmful content or cyber attacking software in order to keep students safe (2021). These types of incidences and media reports are of concern to parents who are already wary of their children’s online access at school. School policies vary across the country around devices and content, however they are responsible for the health and safety of students not only on site, but in the cyber world while working at school online. Agencies such as Netsafe provide a plethora of advice and guidance to schools and the community in regard to internet safety. Netsafe has developed a schools framework to help schools navigate and understand their current digital practices - safety, citizenship and well-being (Netsafe Schools. n.d). The framework supports schools in their development and review of safe online practices and the online environment their students are working in. The Netsafe framework is informed by the seven ERO Wellbeing indicators; students (Akonga), partnerships (mahi ngātahi), stewardship (kaitiakitanga), leadership (hautūtanga), curriculum (marau), professional confidence (te tū māia), inquiry and review (te aromātai) (n.d). This framework links to and expands on the MOE model in addition to providing a sound tool for review and reflection of current school systems.
The New Zealand government has developed the Network for Learning (N4L) company to provide all schools and kura with a managed network. N4L manages the safety and security of the network to ensure students can work safely online. The network works with school tech specialists to connect (provide fast, reliable internet connection), protect (monitor access and cyber security support) and support (manage, monitor and maintain school connections) (N4L. n.d).
Having a company providing resources to manage school’s networks is essential to supporting schools responsibilities in regard to student online safety at school. Many boards and school leaders do not have the knowledge or digital capacity to manage their network safely and tech support providers are an expensive resource to employ. By taking on this expense, the Ministry of Education shares the responsibility, understands the magnitude of the responsibility and works closely with schools, leadership and experts in ensuring the responsibility is met accordingly. N4L engages support from the education sector through a leadership advisory group, made up of school principals and educationalists who advise the company of the big picture of education and technology.
School boards and leaders have access to an extensive support network of resources and documents to ensure their learners and community are safe in the cyber world at school. It is important that each school ensure their systems are current, their staff are trained and they have review tools in use to reflect and evaluate the systems and processes in place are adequate.
Digital Technology and Cyber Saftey (n.d) School Docs: Nga Iwi School. Website.
Kenny, K. 2021. Schools are dealing with increased online threats, report details. Stuff Website. Retrieved from: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/124008524/schools-are-dealing-with-increased-online-threats-report-details
Ministry of Education (n.d). Digital Technology: Safe and Responsibly Use in Schools. Website. Retrieved from: https://www.education.govt.nz/school/digital-technology/digital-technology-guide-for-schools/digital-technology-safe-and-responsible-use-in-schools/incident-prevention/incident-prevention-2/#cd_3091_guiding-young-peoples-learning-in-the-digital-world_ComplexDocumentAccordionSection_Guiding%20young%20people's%20learning%20in%20the%20digital%20world
Netsafe Schools (n.d). Netsafe School Overview. Website. Retrieved from: www.netsafe.org/thekit/netsafe-schools/overview/
Network for Learning (n.d). About Us. Website. Retrieved from: www.n4l.co.nz/about-us/
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