Often when a new staff member starts working in Dedham they ask, “What technology is available here?” That is a difficult question to answer as you can see from this newly created and populated searchable database which attempts to answer this question and more about our technology resources. The list includes hardware, apps, software, and subscription/license required websites; it also lists some resources that are not approved for use. Well over 90% are approved of the nearly 300 resources listed. You can filter the lists by various age ranges, types of resources, areas of use as well as a primary contact if you have a question about a resource.  This directory includes resources primarily used by teachers with students.  It doesn't include all digital resources used by teachers.  If we missed something or if you have suggested improvements, please let us know. We do our best to keep this resource updated.

We’ve been working on this project for a long time and finally are able to provide a tool that we believe is useful to you.  Judy has provided this video overview (5:49 minutes) of how you access and use the directory as well as more information on technology resource procurement. 

Your feedback and ideas are important as we want to ensure that we meet the needs of all students and provide the best possible educational technology resources while balancing classroom innovation and student privacy.  Technology includes and is not limited to: data management platforms,  digital tools, websites, applications and any form of digital media. With the increase in student mobile devices, faster Internet connectivity, and better wireless coverage in schools, educators are more and more often looking for or finding digital tools to help in the teaching and learning process.  Thoughtful adoption of tools requires that we evaluate all online tools, sites, and services, in four primary domains (SEES): 1) Safe and Legal  2) Educational Value 3) Equitable 4) Sustainable. Digital tools need to be appropriate for the learning goal, be well designed, meet the intended purpose, and be secure and safe.

When evaluating and vetting applications, think about the four primary domains:

Safe and Legal 

Apps, sites, and services must be evaluated on how well they protect student data privacy, respect intellectual property, and adhere to legal data guidelines.  We require that all third party vendors have signed a student data privacy agreement with Dedham Public Schools.  The Vetting Process for Safety and Legality is done through the TEC Student Data Privacy Alliance.  

The TEC Student Data Privacy Alliance, in cooperation with Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) ,

"developed statewide agreements which articulated the vendor duties and responsibilities required to protect student data in compliance with all applicable federal and state privacy statutes including FERPA, PPRA, COPPA, 603 C.M.R. 23.00 and MA General Law Chapter 71, Sections 34D to 34H. "

The TEC Student Data Privacy Alliance offers "expert legal counsel and an experienced contract administrator whom have negotiated over 1,000 signed vendor agreements that translate into over 18,000 posted DPAs and “Exhibit Es” (which let districts quickly piggyback onto an existing DPA) in the SDPC national database." 

To get a vendor application vetted, the districts enter requests for the Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) through the SDPC portal.  If they don’t have an agreement in place, they do all the work to negotiate a signed DPA on Dedham Public Schools behalf.  

For detailed information regarding the TEC Student Data Privacy Alliance and the student data privacy vetting legal services they provide, please visit their website and visit Dedham Public Schools MSPA Website. 

Educational Value

1. Does this product align with the department, school and/or District initiatives?

2. Do we currently use a similar product in another situation in the District?  Are there any other solutions? Why this particular software?

3. How will this product increase student engagement, improve relevance, personalize instruction?

Equitable

Is this software for a specific need or needs of one or a group of students? If it is just for your class or school, why isn't it good for other classes or schools? 

Sustainable

1. What is the financial cost?  Is it a one time cost or a annual cost (subscription).  

2. Who's paying for it?

3. Who will train the staff and/or students?

4. Who will manage the accounts?  Can the accounts be managed centrally?

How should I proceed if I would like to use a digital resource?  

1. Check the District Dedham Public Schools Digital Resource Directory to determine if this resource is being used at Dedham Public Schools.

2. Check the SDPC site to determine if Dedham Public Schools has a signed Student Data Privacy agreement with the third-party vendor.  If we don't have an agreement you can not use the resource with your students. 

3. Talk with your Instructional Coach, Department Head or the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation PK-12 to determine if these products support and align with the curriculum.  Talk to your principal, department head, and/or curriculum coordinator.  If your supervisor agrees that the product is worth pursuing, your supervisor should submit a request to the appropriate school service account (elservice, msservie, hsservice) to request a signed vendor agreement through the SDPC.

Below are three flowcharts which show the process of requesting a digital resource from an Administrator, Teacher and Student Resource perspective.  All the flowcharts require communication between stakeholders which consider the Safety, Educational Value, Equity and Sustainability of a requested product.   The privacy and security of student data is of the utmost importance.  Therefore, any digital resource that shares any student personally identifiable  information, must be vetted.  The resources are vetted by using the Educational Framework artificial intelligence software which rates the applications based on their privacy agreements and terms of services.    Any resource which scores less than 5 (meaning the resource is collecting data), continues through the vetting process which involves having the resource evaluated for privacy through the Student Data Privacy Alliance.   The alliance uses their legal services to obtain a contract which ensures that the vendor is following the agreed contract terms regarding how student data is collected, storaged and destroyed.