ST NICHOLAS TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE MONTESSORI METHOD OF EDUCATION LTD (CHARITY, MSN) 

AND ST NICHOLAS MONTESSORI TRAINING LIMITED

(MONTESSORI CENTRE INTERNATIONAL – MCI)

“(together, “Montessori”)”

 

Montessori Moodle Terms and Conditions/ Terms of Service Statement.

 

1. Introduction

1.1  Moodle is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which is used for the purposes of teaching, training, research, coursework or associated administration and offers file sharing and communication tools to users. Montessori provides these services subject to the following rules and guidelines. 

1.2  These guidelines should be used in conjunction with the following Montessori policies which can be found in the Policies section on Moodle:

Any questions regarding Moodle usage can be directed to the Leader of e-Learning jeremy@montessori.org.uk 
 
2  Use of Moodle
 
2.1  When using Moodle and connecting services, each user must:

d)   Each user (this includes tutors, guest lecturers, placement tutors, learners or guests) is responsible for ensuring that their use of Moodle complies with Montessori policies and this document.
e)   By using our Moodle services users agree to be bound by these terms, which shall take effect immediately on their first use. If users do not agree to be bound by all the following terms they should cease using Moodle and notify e-support immediately. 
 
 
3       Montessori VLE Policies Document
 
3.1  Montessori may revise these terms without notice by posting the latest version of this document onto Moodle. A user’s continued use of Moodle will be deemed acceptance of the updated terms or amendments.
3.2  Users accessing Moodle from non-Montessori owned equipment (such as mobile phones or personal laptops) and users accessing Moodle from outside College premises (such as their home or workplace) are bound by the same conditions of use.
3.3  In accordance with the Montessori ICT Acceptable Usage Policy, use of Moodle must be for the purpose of teaching, training, research, coursework, associated administration or other authorised use.
 
4       Security
 
4.1      Access to course information and resources on Moodle are controlled by user permissions. Users should log into Moodle with their own network user account and never allow another user to access Moodle under their network account.
4.2      Users should never attempt to access any protected Moodle area unless they are a member of the course and have been given permission to do so by the course lecturer or supervisor.
4.3      Activities on Moodle are fully audited. Records are kept of when users access courses and resources along with a log of all communications such as forum posts, assignment submissions, etc. These records are available to lecturers or supervisors for course evidence, but may also be used as a point of reference for any matters arising, such as accounts of harassment, bullying or the transmitting of inappropriate material.
4.4      Users should not post personal or sensitive information to any part of Moodle including to their profile, blogs, or any course activities. Information sent through Moodle may be read by third parties.
4.5      When information is placed onto Moodle by users, you are acknowledging that you are making it available for download, and therefore we cannot guarantee that such resources will not be seen by/distributed to third parties.
4.6      Often tutors and managers, and other users, will place links to useful websites on Moodle for the Montessori community to investigate. Montessori cannot accept any responsibility for the contents of external sites.
4.7      Access to Moodle will be withdrawn when a user is no longer employed by Montessori or when the student’s participation in one of our courses has expired.
 
5       Content
 
5.1      Users are responsible for ensuring that the learning materials added to their areas does not infringe confidentiality, copyright or the intellectual property rights of others (including colleagues).
5.2      Users should not upload any materials which would breach the ICT Acceptable Usage Policy (such as illegal or obscene content) or add links to any web pages that host such material.
5.3      Users taking part in online course activities (including assignment submission, chat rooms, forums, etc.) are prohibited from transmitting any words or pictures which are libelous, insulting, and abusive or would otherwise contravene codes of conduct.
5.4      All work submitted electronically by users should be their own. Copying others work, cheating, collusion, plagiarism and attempting to obtain unfair assessment advantages are in violation of Montessori policies.
5.5      Tutors and managers are responsible for supervising their Moodle areas and ensuring that any violations of Montessori policies are dealt with. Any violations of policies identified by learners should be made to their lecturer or supervisor in the first instance.
5.6      Moodle areas should reflect current learning provision. Once an area has been created for a tutor it is their responsibility for ensuring the academic content remains up-to-date.
5.7      Moodle areas may be removed without warning if:

5.8      Where a course area has multiple tutors or supervisors then arrangements should be made by the tutors or supervisors team to ensure that they work together collaboratively. Montessori cannot accept any responsibility where a tutor or supervisor makes changes to files or settings without informing their colleagues and the e-team.
5.9      Moodle contains documents created with a variety of software. Where possible we encourage users to upload resources in commonly used formats (such as Microsoft Office) to offer wider compatibility. Montessori cannot support learners with problems opening files externally if they are caused by incompatible software and/or hardware.
5.10    Many files on Moodle (such as videos) are quite large and best viewed over the Montessori network. Montessori cannot guarantee quality of performance or be responsible for connection issues when downloading these materials externally.
 
6       Data Protection
 
6.1   Users of Moodle must agree to:

 
7  Access logs
 
7.1  Access to courses and areas on Moodle is logged and the information recorded about course usage is available to the course managers. This information includes which users have visited the course, when they visited and what they have looked at. These statistics are monitored and may be used:

7.2      If you have any concerns, please contact e-support in the first instance.
 
 
8       Data storage limitations

8.1      Moodle is a platform for making files and resources available to learners throughout their course. It should not be used as a general storage area. Files that are not required for the delivery of a course should be stored in your network area. Where collaboration is required between lecturers, then your network shared area or another collaborative tool such as the network shared area should be used.
8.2      All users should always keep original copies of work they upload onto Moodle. Montessori accepts no liability for lost or corrupt data that has been stored on Moodle by staff or learners.
8.3      Whilst the server is routinely backed up for the purposes of disaster recovery, it is the responsibility of users to ensure that they have copies of any important data, including uploaded resources, submitted assignments, etc.
8.4      All learner data and submitted work are removed from the system and archived for 6 years after user access has been removed.
8.5      Montessori computers are routinely virus scanned but Montessori guarantee that all files transmitted through Moodle will be virus free. Users accessing Moodle from home should ensure that they have adequate virus protection on their computer to help prevent their infection or distribution of viruses.
8.6      Staff should not use Moodle as a tool to distribute software applications to learners (except where it has been created as part of a programming course).
 
9       Disciplinary Action
 
9.1      Should a user contravene these terms of use or any other College Policy related to the use of Moodle, the offence will be logged and appropriate action will be taken, from a temporary restriction of services up to and including permanent removal of services and further disciplinary procedures.
 
10    Information about us
 
Moodle is operated by Montessori (‘Montessori’ or 'we' or 'us') in conjunction with How To Moodle. Our registered addresses are:  Marlborough House, 38 Marlborough Place, London NW8 0PE and e-Innovation Centre, Priorslee, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 9FT