How to use the compass:

 As the number and type of Web 2.0 tools  continues to multiply, many K-12 teachers are challenged with selecting the ‘right’ Web 2.0 tool that allows them to support student learning while respecting privacy. Many teachers are unaware of where such tools store their information and the ways in which this information is accessed or transferred. The types of data entered or shared on these tools (by teacher, student and/or parent/guardian), as well as the methods of storage and access can present student privacy risks and vulnerabilities. In British Columbia (BC), Canada, teachers using these tools can be legally responsible for reasonably managing these risks and vulnerabilities. Under British Columbian law, the responsibilities of public school teachers are governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA, 1996) while teachers in independent schools are governed by the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA, 2003). The Privacy Compass was designed to help teachers navigate these tools by identifying risks and providing strategies to reasonably manage them within the scope of existing privacy legislation.

 The Privacy Compass is designed to provide teachers with 4 key resources related to a specific Web 2.0 or learning management system (LMS) tool:

  • parent/guardian background information documents: downloadable, editable information sheets and templates that can be used with parents and guardians
  • teacher briefing documents: outlining the privacy concerns and considerations that teachers need to be aware of before proceeding to use with their students
  • tool specific consent/permission form
  • lesson ideas, when possible, to help teachers with Web 2.0 that may be new to them

  Teachers can access these documents, edit them to make them specifically work for their context, and then share them with the parents and guardians of their students. This encourages teachers to be aware of the relevant privacy concerns under different legislations, the usefulness of their tool of choice, and how to articulate these to the families with whom they would be working. 

  The Privacy Compass also includes a tool comparison chart showing what each tool requires for enrolling with the tool and other information such as: what grade levels and subjects they are suited for, where the servers are located, and if there are any age restrictions. 

 
 Note: Not all tools currently included in the Alphabetical List have all possible documentation at this time. It is my hope that users and other educators will contribute content to further develop available resources. The database will continually grow over time as more documents are created and added.

  This site was created by me, a BC educator, as a project for my Master of Education in Leadership at Vancouver Island University under the supervision of Professor Julia Hengstler and with contributions by other educators. This tool was not created by lawyers. All users are strongly advised to review the applicability of these documents with their own school or school district administration prior to using with their students and classes.

October 20th website stats - unique IP address visitors to this site.