GRID3 Learning Hub

Introduction

GRID3 Inc uses a Learning Management System (LMS) that is used to support GRID3’s stated aims of capacity strengthening around geographic information systems (GIS) and encouraging the use, uptake, and creation of spatial data. All users must agree to the Site Policy.

The GRID3 LMS website (referred to hereafter as “the LMS website”) is built using Moodle, a free open-source software package that relies on  sound pedagogical principles, helping educators develop active online learning communities. Moodle is distributed under the GNU General Public License. GRID3’s Moodle platform is hosted on secure servers and administered both internally by GRID3 staff and externally by Synergy Learning (a company that provides commercial hosting and support services).

The Moodle platform provides a range of features to facilitate the delivery, support, administration, and participation in teaching and learning activities. The features include content delivery and ways for tutors and learners to collaborate, such as:

• Content creation or upload
• Discussion forums and chat rooms
• Messaging tools
• Assignments
• Quizzes
• Monitoring users' online activity

Other third-party software and web services may also be linked in order to provide an integrated learning environment for staff, tutors, and students. However, this policy does not apply to unaffiliated third-party sites to which the site may link.

Purpose of the Site Policy

The purpose of the Site Policy is to specify user responsibilities and promote the appropriate use of the LMS website for the protection of other users, and all members of the administrative and teaching community at GRID3 Inc, as well as its subcontractors and agents.

Site Policy

“Users” are defined as any person or system that accesses the LMS website and includes all people attending short courses run at or by GRID3 Inc. “Users” also refers to trainers recruited specifically to teach GRID3 courses and non-teaching staff employed by GRID3 Inc, its’ subcontractors or agents.

Generally, users fall into three categories.

• Visitors to the home page who choose not to log in as an ‘Authenticated User’. Typically, visitors cannot view any learning materials, courses, or content without logging in as an Authenticated User or as a Guest (if Guest access is enabled on the site).
• Visitors who register as 'Authenticated Users' and enroll in available learning materials, courses, and content. An authenticated user will have password access to available learning materials, courses, and content to which they have enrolled or been granted access.
• Visitors who register as Guests to the LMS (if Guest access is enabled on the site) and gain access to any publicly available learning materials, courses, and content.

Registration for 'Authenticated Users'

All users must register in order to access learning resources on the LMS website. All users must agree to the following user policies: Site Policy, Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, Google Analytics Policy. Upon registration, users must give their consent to GRID3 Inc's processing of their personal data. Details of how personal data is processed are listed in the Privacy Policy.

Your Responsibilities

Users of LMS website must agree to the following.

• Not use the LMS website for any purpose beyond teaching, learning, and research. However, incidental personal use (for example via the Moodle social forums) is acceptable.
• Not use the LMS website for commercial use, such as marketing.
• Not use the LMS website for uploading, storing, viewing, or transmitting any material which is (or may be considered to be) defamatory, inflammatory, discriminatory, obscene, or offensive.
• Not use the LMS website to misrepresent GRID3 Inc, its subcontractors, agents, and/or employees or bring them into disrepute in any way.
• Be polite, professional, and courteous to others when using the LMS website. Not use the LMS website to libel, slander, or harass any person.
• Report any inappropriate content to the Site Administrator.
• Not plagiarise in submitted postings or assignments.
• Not breach the copyright of GRID3 Inc, its subcontractors or agents, by copying and redistributing any text, images, video, or any other content from the LMS website. Copyright of the course materials and content of the GRID3 LMS website are owned or controlled by GRID3 Inc (and in relation to specific content, if stated as such, joint ownership and control with subcontractors). Any copies of third party materials will be clearly labelled with warnings about any copyright restrictions.
• Ensure that any copyright material reproduced and loaded onto Moodle conforms with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). All reproductions must be fully acknowledged. Material not conforming to these requirements will be removed.
• Only attempt to access courses in which you are formally enrolled (i.e. those courses you are attending as a registered student), which permit self-enrollment, or which allow public access as a Guest User (if Guest access is enabled on the site).
• Always use your real identity, including your first and last name.
• Do not disclose other people’s personal information on a public forum.