Before using any tools in your classroom, you should consider carefully ….
High Quality Instruction
Click here for a checklist for using digital tools with students under 13.
Click here for a checklist for using digital tools with students over 13.
Click here for an example letter you can send to parents.
Many tools have restrictions for students under 13 and some tools have restrictions for students under 18. These restrictions are put into place so that companies are in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protections Act (COPPA). As an educational institution we are required to follow these restrictions in order for us to be in compliance with COPPA.
No Children Under 13: You can not use a resource if the privacy policy or terms of use indicate that children under 13 can not use or that the product is not intended to be used by children under 13.
Written or Express Consent: You must have parents sign a consent form for each tool you plan to use. It is necessary to have a separate consent form for each tool or a separate section for each tool on a consent form with a separate signature for each tool.
Parental Consent: You must get parental consent to use any tool that requires parental consent. This can be implied consent where you send a letter or email to parents about a tool that you will use in class, allowing enough time for parents to contact you if they have concerns. Planning ahead and sending home a list of tools for your class, grade level, or subject area at the beginning of the year or the start of a term is a good way to get consent for multiple tools at one time. Any tools added through the year would need a new letter or email sent home.
Student Accounts or Collecting Student Data, including video or photos: If a tool requires a student account or collects student data you need to bring this tool to the attention of your principal or ISF for approval so that the building administration knows what tools are being used in class and can answer parent questions if they are asked. Schools can create a list of tools that have already been approved by administration. NOTE: any tool that uses video or photos that are sent to parents have a separate permission form. For permission forms for tools like Seesaw or Flipgrid, click here.