Technology Usage Policy

This policy outlines the technical requirements, procedures, and responsibilities for all staff, students, and parents/guardians to ensure a seamless and productive online learning experience at Naia Loves Stories. The policy aims to:

• Prevent technical disruptions by clearly communicating requirements.

• Provide clear and accessible support for common technical problems.

• Establish a process for resolving issues that arise during tuition sessions.

Required technology

All students must have access to the following minimum technology requirements for online tuition sessions:

Device: A laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Smartphones are not recommended as the primary learning device due to the small screen size.

Internet connection: A stable, high-speed broadband internet connection is required. We recommend a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps. A wired Ethernet connection is recommended for greater stability.

Audio/video equipment: A working webcam and microphone are essential for interactive sessions. The use of headphones or earbuds is recommended to reduce background noise and improve audio clarity.

Software: The latest version of the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browser.

A PDF reader for accessing lesson materials.

Before the lesson: Proactive measures

To minimize disruptions, we ask that all parents/guardians and students take the following steps before each lesson:

Test equipment: Ensure that the device, webcam, and microphone are working correctly.

Check internet speed: A speed test can be conducted online to confirm the internet connection is adequate.

Minimize bandwidth usage: Ask other family members to avoid heavy internet usage (e.g., streaming videos, online gaming) during the tuition session.

Join on time: Students should attempt to join the session at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time to resolve any last-minute issues.

During the lesson: Resolving minor issues

In the event of a minor technical issue that arises during a live session, the tutor will follow these steps:

Assess the issue: The tutor will first try to determine the source of the problem (e.g., audio, video, connectivity).

Use established protocol: The tutor will guide the student through simple, child-friendly troubleshooting steps, such as:

Turning the camera or microphone off and on again.

Checking the volume settings.

Asking the student (with parental assistance for younger children) to leave and rejoin the session.

Use alternative communication: If video or audio fails completely, the tutor will communicate with the parent via the school's messaging platform or via phone call if necessary.

Managing significant technical problems

If a technical issue cannot be resolved quickly, the following procedure will be initiated:

Report the problem: The parent/guardian should immediately report the issue via the messaging platform or phone. The tutor will also report the incident.

If technical issues occur on the pupil’s side, the tutor will wait up to 10 minutes for reconnection.

If connection cannot be restored, the session may continue at a rescheduled time.

Adjust the lesson: If the problem persists and the lesson is significantly disrupted (e.g., more than 10 minutes lost), the tutor will:

Offer to extend the session time, if schedules permit.

If an extension is not possible, the tutor and parent will arrange for a follow-up session or a credit for the lost time.

Reschedule: If the technical issue cannot be resolved and the lesson must be ended, the tutor will confirm a rescheduled time with the parent/guardian via the official messaging channel.

Staff responsibilities

All tutors and staff are trained to be technologically proficient with our learning platform. Staff must:

• Use the school's secure and approved technology and communication channels at all times.

• Have a reliable internet connection and appropriate audio/visual equipment during sessions.

• Report any persistent technical problems with our platform

Parental and student responsibilities

To ensure a smooth learning process, we expect parents and students to adhere to this policy. This includes:

• Informing the school of any ongoing technical issues with their home internet or equipment.

• Assisting younger children in troubleshooting minor technical problems.

• Not holding the school responsible for technical issues arising from personal equipment or local internet service providers.