eduSTAR – ICT Services, Software and Advice for Schools

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to explain the eduSTAR (School Technology Architecture and Resources) information and communication technology (ICT) program and policy requirements for schools. This policy also includes information about ICT equipment and software that is donated to schools.

Summary

• eduSTAR is the program for the supply of ICT services to Victorian government schools.
• The eduSTAR program provides a range of centrally-funded ICT services, which are supported by school specialist technicians and a centrally-based support team.
• The ICT services are designed to help schools develop a sustainable ICT platform which is used by students, staff, specialist technicians and school-procured third party applications / ICT services.
• The ICT services consist of the end to end components to deliver the service to the school. This typically includes the network, security, access, hardware, software, guidance materials and support.
• The eduSTAR program determines what programs are available on department-supplied ICT equipment including notebooks and other computers and what programs are available for staff download.
• The eduSTAR program has the following requirements for schools:
  • ICT services and equipment should be purchased through the relevant purchasing panel — refer to the Guidance tab for more information.
  • School wired and wireless networks comply with the eduSTAR framework in the ICT Design Models for Schools. For more information refer to ICT Design Models.
  • Have cabling installed by a registered cabling vendor. For more information see the cabling infrastructure section in ICT Design Models.
  • If the school seeks to integrate a third party application, devices or ICT services into an eduSTAR services, then seek guidance from the eduSTAR team on the best practices and recommended methods of integration.
• Donation of ICT equipment to schools by organisations or individuals is subject to the department's Sponsorship Policy Schools should be careful not to accept any donated ICT equipment where it could be perceived as endorsing an organisation or product. This policy excludes offers made to individuals (employees, school councillors and contractors). Such offers are subject to the department's Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy.
• Donation of software to schools is not permitted, unless the donor is an authorised agent of the software vendor and/or copyright holder of the software.

Details

Overview

The eduSTAR platform provides schools with:

• A range of ICT services, which includes some of the following:
  • eduSTAR.ISP — department’s internet service provider (ISP) and internet security systems and reporting
  • eduSTAR.Net — wired and wireless network services
  • eduSTAR.Cloud — access to the department's centrally managed cloud services (Google Workplace for Education, Microsoft O365, school websites and a range of other cloud based applications)
  • eduSTAR.SOE — creation and ongoing management of the Standard Operating environment (SOE) for teacher and student devices
  • eduSTAR.Integrated — the department’s identity solution that provides Single Sign-on (SSO) access to department provided software and resources
  • Webex for Schools — Webex devices and software for video conferencing and collaboration
  • Voice for Schools — a fully managed cloud based voice service that leverages the VicSmart network
  • access to a while range of software for the teaching, learning and foundation services for your school. This includes access to software covered by the departments Microsoft agreement and range of education software that is centrally funded
• A portal (eduSTAR Catalogue) where schools can find:
  • up-to-date news about technology in Victorian government schools
  • in-depth information on the ICT services the department provides and how to request them
  • ICT service roadmaps, service improvement plans, project updates and a catalogue of software, hardware and related resources
• ICT strategy and planning advice, including resources and tools
• ICT guidance on third party applications or services that can integrate with the eduSTAR services
• access to technology, including authorised suppliers for ICT hardware and software
• the Technical Support to Schools Program, service desk and job management system
• projects, including lifecycle refresh relating to the eduSTAR services, service improvements and new services projects

Program aims

eduSTAR aims to help schools develop an appropriate information technology platform, enabling them to:

• provide a range of fit for purpose centrally-funded foundation ICT services that schools can leverage, rather than school funds being spent on the procurement and support of foundation ICT platforms
• provide students and teachers with access to digital learning resources while connecting, collaborating and creating using digital resources
• increase educational productivity through a reliable, repeatable and predictable platform for school ICT services and devices
• guide and influence technology, architecture and resources in Victorian government schools to provide a focused classroom ICT environment
• improve and update ICT services to provide the right mix of software applications, hardware and cloud services to align with the curriculum and effective management of the schools ICT platform
• provide increased value for money from the Technical Support to Schools Program (TSSP) through efficient technology solutions and central support models

Purchasing ICT services and equipment

ICT services and equipment should be purchased through the relevant purchasing panel. Refer to Hardware Centre for further information.

The Information Management and Technology Division (IMTD) of the department has responsibility for developing cost effective arrangements with preferred suppliers for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products, services and applications.

The department has entered into a number of contractual agreements with suppliers across a selection of ICT products, services and applications on behalf of schools via appropriate procurement process, for which the department has:

• Obtained all necessary purchasing approvals
• Ensured that the suppliers are contracted to supply at agreed pricing with fit-for-purpose warranty provisions
• Provided competitive pricing and choice of supplier where possible

The eduSTAR program provides schools with standardised models, management practice and tools in order to deliver an effective mix of educational software, hardware, services and tools.

Donated ICT equipment

Donation of ICT equipment to schools by organisations or individuals is subject to the Sponsorship Policy. Schools should be careful not to accept any donated ICT equipment where it could be perceived as endorsing an organisation or product.

Additionally, acceptance of donated ICT equipment is contingent on the following conditions:

• Any second-hand ICT equipment is to be certified as electrically safe under Energy Safe Victoria regulations before acceptance of the donation.
• The donor of any ICT equipment must show documentary evidence of ownership of the equipment before acceptance of the donation.
• Any donated ICT equipment must be of a standard and specification that makes it fit for its intended use within the school, as assessed by the school technician.
• Donation of network equipment, such as routers, modems and switches, is not permitted.
• Where the ICT equipment is equipped with data storage, the data storage is to subject to an enterprise wipe to remove all previously held data.
• All software installed on the ICT equipment, including operating system software, is to be removed and replaced with software that is licensed to the department or the school.
• Acceptance of any donated ICT equipment must not be contingent on payment of any future hardware maintenance charges to the donor or entities associated with the donor.
• Acceptance of any donated ICT equipment is contingent on there being no identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities introduced by the intended use of the equipment, as assessed by the school technician. For example, where the ICT equipment requires use of an operating system version that is no longer in mainstream support, the donation is not to be accepted.

Donation of software to schools is not permitted, unless the donor is an authorised agent of the software vendor and/or copyright holder of the software. Furthermore, acceptance of any donation of software is contingent on there being no ongoing software licensing, subscription or maintenance payments to the donor or agents of the donor, or to the software vendor. The donor is to indemnify the school in perpetuity against any demands for software licensing or maintenance charges.

Acceptance of donated ICT equipment is subject to the same level of approvals as for sponsorships — refer to Sponsorship.

Requirements for external access in online environments

Schools must implement the requirements for external access in online environments, described in the Digital Learning policy, including the actions outlined in the External Access chapter of the guidance tab.

Schools will be supported to implement this requirement. If your school needs assistance, please contact the Service Desk via the Services Portal (staff login required) or email at servicedesk@education.vic.gov.au.

Support for schools

The department provides support to schools through the TSSP (refer to ICT Support for Schools) and eduSTAR programs. If schools need help or support with any component of the ICT services provided by the eduSTAR program they should consult with their school technician or contact the department by raising a request via the Services Portal (staff login required).

If the school requires guidance on third party applications, devices or ICT services, then they can consult with their school technician TSSP Service Delivery Manager or contact the eduSTAR service desk — refer to Contact section below.

Related policies

• Digital Learning
• eduMail (employee email)
• eduPass – Identity and Access Management in Schools
• ICT Support for Schools
• Information Security – InfoSafe
• Procurement – Schools
• School Administration Systems
• Sponsorship

Contact

eduSTAR service desk
Email: servicedesk@education.vic.gov.au

eduSTAR projects team
Email: edustar.projects@education.vic.gov.au

ICT Design Models and Purchasing ICT equipment and services

What is an ICT design model?

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) design models assist schools in making design decisions for learning spaces, cabling infrastructure, communication networks and the support of data, voice and video services before capital works begin. The design models are accessible in the Department’s Guide to ICT Design Models for Schools (staff login required) that provides a number of high-level recommended design preferences. These are based on industry best practices, sound design principles for the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning practices.

Well-designed learning spaces inspire creative, collaborative and productive learning. If ICT, furniture and space is seamlessly integrated into buildings, a diverse range of learners, activities and digital devices can be effectively accommodated.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) design models are part of the Schools Information and Communication Technology Progression Strategy (SIPS). This is a coordinated approach to developing a set of information and communication technology planning tools and best practice for all government schools.

Purchasing ICT equipment and services

Services and equipment should be purchased through the relevant purchasing panel.

Infrastructure and connectivity

This purchasing panel includes:

• Networking equipment
• Servers
• UPS devices
• Backup solutions
• Webex video conferencing
• Interactive whiteboards
• Projectors
• Associated software

Desktop computers

The Curriculum Desktop Panel offers a range of products and services including entry-level, standard and enhanced desktop categories, with each product offering aimed to achieve best value for money for schools, including choice of supplier product, customised warranty and support and upgrade options.

For information on hardware refer to Desktop Hardware (staff login required).

Notebook computers

The Curriculum Notebook Panel offers a range of products and services including entry-level, standard and enhanced notebook categories, with each product offering aimed to achieve best values for money for schools, including choice of supplier product, customised warranty and support and upgrade options.

For information on hardware refer to Notebook Hardware (staff login required).

Software

The Department has licensing agreements with a number of strategic partners, including Microsoft and Google. Schools can access the software provided under these agreements without needing to pay additional licensing costs.

For information on software refer to Software (staff login required).

Resources

Arc Software

Schools can access Arc Software (staff login required) to find up-to-date information about:

• technology in Victorian government schools
• software and support resources

eduSTAR Catalogue

Schools can access the eduSTAR Catalogue (staff login required) to find up-to-date information about:

• technology in Victorian government schools
• in-depth information on the ICT services provided by the department
• how to request ICT services
• ICT service roadmaps
• ICT service improvement plans
• project updates
• hardware and support resources

Some of the pages of the EduSTAR catalogue include:

• eduSTAR catalogue resource centre (staff login required)
• eduSTAR hardware centre (staff login required)

Webex @ DET

Guides and resources for Webex at schools including information, user guides and helpful videos are available on the Webex page on ARC.