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View this 5-minute video concerning the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It is one of the best overviews made directly for teachers. COPPA is something we teachers must always keep in mind as we select various technology tools, apps and resources for our students - especially those under 13.
The video narrator explains how PowToons is an example of a tool that is NOT for use by students under 13! After you have viewed the video, read on as this section of Module 2 will help us to understand two important provisions that exist to protect the rights and privacy for children:
- Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): This act mandates that website or online services that serve children under 13 must make known that they are collecting personal information about the child.
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): You're probably already aware of this act but for review this act gives parents certain rights to their child's educational records and schools must have parents permission to release information from a student's education record.
As teachers, it is important that we are aware of these provisions. Before we require our students to use Internet-based tools, we need to know whether there are age-restrictions, permission requirements and privacy implications. We can learn about these by checking an app's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. These can usually be found at the very bottom of a website, or in the About section.
I don't know about you, but I confess! I am terrible at reading those extra long, legalese-filled privacy policies and terms of services statements! I usually just click "agree" without ever reviewing anything. BUT...that is only when it comes to my own use! When it comes to what my own children or my students are using, I at least skim these provisions for age restrictions and required permissions. Additionally, most schools have in place some form a of COPPA agreement or statement that makes parents aware that their children may be using websites or online services that collect their personal information and what their rights are, as well as how the school uses and protects student data. FCPS has extensive information concerning student privacy and rights. You can learn more here.
One of the best interpretations of a Privacy Policy comes from an attorney who wanted her own children to understand what rights and information they were giving away when they used Instagram. Read this easy-to-understand article and you're sure to be shocked! In fact, I recommend you have your own students read this article. It will open their eyes and maybe even cause them to use more caution when they post:
Common Sense Media offers a number of good COPPA resources for teachers and parents. Take some time to review a few of the resources. The infographic here is a good visual aid for COPPA. Click on it to access a larger image.
Common Sense has also embarked on a Privacy Evaluation Initiative in order to evaluate privacy and security practices of commonly used education technology.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is another important vehicle for safeguarding student's privacy and rights of their personal records. According to the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), "FERPA requires that personally identifiable information that is shared with service providers be limited to uses otherwise performed by the school's own employees. The provider must be under direct control of the school, and the information shared can only be used for educational purposes" (FOSI, n.d.).
Student privacy and personal data is a highly controversial topic. Some believe that sharing student data is an important method for creating personalized, highly tailored learning opportunities best suited for each individual child. Conversely, opponents' main concerns is the belief that student data needs to be safeguarded from public use for commercialization.
For teachers, it is important to know the general provisions set forth in FERPA and apply our knowledge to safeguard our students' privacy and rights. Click on the image to the right for a snapshot of FERPA and how teachers can practice FERPA wisely. (Image source: Newton Conover City Schools).
Note: You will be using information you have gained from learning about COPPA and FERPA each time you complete an Affordances & Constraints Reflection Journal entry. Your first application of this Journal will be in Mod 2.4.
When you have completed reviewing the materials on this page, move onto Mod 2.3.
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