Digital Resource Application Process

With the increase in student access to mobile devices, faster Internet connectivity, and better wireless coverage in schools, educators are often looking for and finding digital tools and resources to further support the teaching and learning process.

Digital tools need to be appropriate for the learning goal, be well designed, meet the intended purpose, and be secure and safe. Thoughtful adoption of digital tools requires that we evaluate all online tools, sites, and services, in three primary domains:

1) Curriculum - As educators we need to be sure we are providing high quality digital resources for student learning.

2) Technical - All online tools need to be reviewed relevant to compatibility on our devices and within our network infrastructure.

3) 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.

In addition to testing out the app yourself, we suggest you review online rankings and comments in the App Store, Google Play Store, and on Common Sense Media.

Once you have a tool that you think is worthy of adoption by the school district, please review and complete the steps below to begin the approval process. Utilize the Technology Integration Specialist in your building to assist you.

  • All tools will be reviewed for student data privacy compliance. Any tool not in compliance will...

  • Staff will be advised when the application is approved for use.

When you review the digital tool and the terms of use, please consider whether it will comply with the Medway RUP.

Use District Tools First

Find out whether the district already has a vetted and supported tool that accomplishes the same educational goal. The list of district software can be found here. Not all currently listed tools are approved by Student Data Privacy Alliance.

Determine Educational Case

  • Will the tool contribute significantly to teaching and learning?

  • Does the teacher leader who supports the content area endorse using the tool?

  • Do others in your discipline or grade-level agree?

  • Does the tool

    • have strong relevance to the curriculum, to teaching and learning

    • enable construction and curation more than consumption,

    • encourage higher order thinking skills,

    • engage users,

    • work across content areas and grades?

Evaluate Usability

Is the tool easy to use? Is it compatible with the hardware provided? Does it crash? Is it very reliable? Is it flexible to multiple technology platforms; Mac, PC, Chrome? Utilize the Technology Integration Specialist in your building to assist in this process.

Review Terms of Service and Data Privacy Policy

Check if the app has a current Medway SDPA agreement. If so, the tool is ready to use by students and teachers. If not, working with the Technology Integration Specialist, complete the Digital Tool Request Form to evaluate the tool and district security requirements. The following checklist will assist in this process.

Digital Tools - Checklist

  1. Grade Levels to use tool?

  2. Is an Account required?

    • Some tools require the user to register and login to access the tool or login using single sign on through Google or Clever. If no, the app or digital resource requires no account, and does not require the user to click “OK” to a user agreement, then the tool is most likely OK to use.

3. Age Requirement?

  • Some terms of service will have an age restriction or requirement. They may say something like the following: example 1: “Important—if you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or guardian read the agreement below and agree to it for you. If you don’t get your parent or guardian to read and agree to this, you don’t have permission to use this site. Always get an adult’s permission before going online.” example 2: “You must be 13 years of age or older to be a User of the Services. By continuing to use the Services, you are warranting that you are at least 13 years old and you have the authority to enter into these Terms of Service.”

4. Intellectual Property?

  • Do users retain all rights over the content that they post with the service? Does the service provider reserve rights to redistribute or sell user content? As you review the app, consider the intellectual property, who will be posting content, and what type of content.

5. Access geo-location?

  • Some terms of service will say something like the following: When possible we attempt to capture your geographic location when you sign up for your account, sync with our tool, or make other interactions with the service. If a tool uses your location but has no user account to use the tool (use is anonymous), then it is OK to use. Otherwise the tool is not safe and will not be approved for use.

6. Advertisements?

  • Some tools will have a sidebar in which they have advertisements and links to other products, sites, or services.

7. Posts relevant (or related) content?

  • Some tools or services will post links to content that they host that they deem relevant or related. If so, this content must be scrutinized carefully for appropriateness.

8. Special cases: for important apps to be used on a widespread basis the district may decide that it is appropriate to ask for parental permission.

Click here to complete the form.