Practices and Policies: Web 2.0 in Prince Edward Island
Practices and Policies: Web 2.0 in Prince Edward IslandSubmitted
by Sean Cain, Trevor MacNeill, and Mark Rooney
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for Education 6620,
Issues and Trends in Educational Computing
Professor George HacheEducation 6620Memorial University
1Project RationaleAs we contemplated the many issues surrounding
the use of Web 2.0 tools in Prince Edward Island, we wanted to
prepare a presentation that provided common scenarios that teachers
and administrators might encounter, a search and analysis of how
current policies and organizations might impact on the use of Web
2.0 tools, followed by some recommendations.
We envision this presentation being used as a conversation
starter for district and provincial leadership, school
administrative teams, or instructional and other staff. We hope
that we have accomplished that goal.
Any comments or suggestions about the content of this
presentation can be directed to [email protected],
[email protected], or [email protected] are the everyday
scenarios that might arise for teachers or administrators when
considering the use of Web 2.0 tools in the PEI classroom?
3Scenario One4A school wants to use Twitter to post pictures of
students and teachers to help increase school spirit and
communication.
To learn more about Twitter click the imageScenario Two5A
teacher wishes to use a blog tool, such as WordPress, to allow
students to place writing samples online for peers and parents to
post comments and suggestions.
To learn more about WordPress click the image
Scenario Three6A teacher wants to use Edmodo as a tool to engage
students and improve learning. Edmodo utilizes a design similar to
Facebook and provides teachers and students an external application
to connect, collaborate and share content.
To learn more about edmodo click the imageQuestions to
ConsiderWhich organizations are involved in creating and
administering policy for Web 2.0 usage in education?What are the
policies that impinge the use of Web 2.0 tools in PEI schools?What
are the responsibilities of those involved in the use of these
tools? What are potential issues that may arise from the use of Web
2.0 tools?
77Web 2.0 What does it mean?In 2004, the first Web 2.0
Conference was organized in San Fransisco by OReilly Media. Tim
OReilly is largely credited with the coining of the phrase Web 2.0.
(1)The term was created in reference to an evolution of Internet
usage which saw a shift from information retrieval, to information
creation and collaboration.
(2)8http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0_Summit
8OReillys Own WordsWeb 2.0 is the network as platform, spanning
all connected devices; Web 2.0 applications are those that make the
most of the intrinsic advantages of that platform: delivering
software as a continually-updated service that gets better the more
people use it, consuming and remixing data from multiple sources,
including individual users, while providing their own data and
services in a form that allows remixing by others, creating network
effects through an "architecture of participation," and going
beyond the page metaphor of Web 1.0 to deliver rich user
experiences. (3)
- Tim OReilly, 2005
9http://radar.oreilly.com/2005/10/web-20-compact-definition.html9Social
Media in Plain English
(4)10http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE10Why Would Teachers Use
Web 2.0 Applications?Requires little technical knowledge and
usually available for freeAccessible with a web-enabled
deviceAllows for multi-person accessMore easily connect and engage
with parents and studentsInformation is created once and shared
multiple times
A growing vast array of educational applications exist (5)
11
http://edudemic.com/2010/07/the-35-best-web-2-0-classroom-tools-chosen-by-you/
11How Can Teachers Use Web 2.0?Uploading homework
announcementsCreation and use of video tutorialsCommunication with
parents and studentsFile storage and sharingTracking and sharing
student performance dataCreation of content management systems
1212Are there concerns using Web 2.0?Would parents have legal
grounds if teachers posted a student's name, picture or personal
information for all to see on the Internet, including online
predators?Would parents have legal grounds if teachers posted
students personal data that identifies what school they attend and
where they live?Are teachers going against policies by saving
student data to a server hosted by such applications as WordPress
or Edmodo? Could teachers face legal action from parents by doing
any of the above without consent? 13The School Act and Web 2.0?The
Concept of a School Sponsored ActivityWhat is the Role ofthe
Minister?the Superintendent?the Administrator?the Teacher?What is a
Record?What constitutes personal information?
14What is a School Sponsored Activity?A school-sponsored
activity means any activity, whether conducted on or off the
property of a school, that is sponsored, recognized or authorized
by a principal or a school board. (6)
Analysis Since student use of Web 2.0 tools can occur at home or
school and is under the direction of a teacher or administrator, we
would view it as falling under the realm of a school-sponsored
activity.
15Responsibilities of the MinisterResearch and assess changing
needs, trends and approaches in education and develop and implement
strategic plans.approve educational programs and instructional
material for use in the schools and educational resource materials
in support of educational programs.prohibit, where the Minister
considers it necessary, the use of educational programs or
instructional materials in schools. (6)
AnalysisThese statements would lead us to believe that it is the
ministers responsibility to assess how Web 2.0 might be used in
education, and approve or deny its use.The approval process for Web
2.0 tools does currently rest with the minister.16Responsibilities
of the SuperintendentExercise general supervision and management
over the employees of the school board (6)
AnalysisSince a teachers use of Web 2.0 tools occurs within the
context of the work environment, the supervision and use of those
tools ultimately rests with the superintendent.
17Responsibilities of the AdministratorProvide educational
leadership in the schoolEnsure that the instruction provided by
teachers employed at the school is consistent with the authorized
programsSupervise and manage the employees working at the school
(6)
AnalysisSince Web 2.0 tools have a place in education, the
principal should assume a leadership position in their use. The
administrator is directly responsible for supervision of all
programs within the school. How teachers use Web 2.0 tools should
be known to the principal.18Responsibilities of the TeacherTo
encourage the pursuit of learningTo teach only those programs
authorized under the ActTeachers shall obtain the consent of
parents for the participation of students in authorized school
activities off the school property (6)
AnalysisSeeing that the Internet is a tool for accessing and
sharing information, it seems reasonable to conclude that using it
encourages the pursuit of learning among students.Since the use of
Web 2.0 tools might occur off school property, one might conclude
that the Act compels the teacher to gain the parents consent to
participate in that activity.19The School Act, Student Records, and
Personal InformationPersonal Information and what constitutes a
record is not defined by the School Act.We must look to The Freedom
of Information and Privacy Protection Regulations for these
definitions. 20What Does the Freedom of Information and Privacy
Regulations Say About Personal Information?
Personal information means recorded information about an
identifiable individual, including: the individuals name, home or
business address or home or business telephone numberThe
individuals race, national or ethnic origin, colour or religious or
political beliefs or associationsThe individuals age, sex, marital
status or family statusAn identifying number, symbol or other
particular assigned to the individual The individuals fingerprints,
blood type or inheritable characteristics,Information about the
individuals health and health care history, including information
about a physical or mental disabilityInformation about the
individuals educational, financial, employment or criminal history,
including criminal records where a pardon has been givenAnyone
elses opinions about the individualThe individuals personal views
or opinions, except if they are about someone else (7)21Personal
Information and Web 2.0There may be cause for concern when any site
or Web 2.0 tool requires students to share information such as:
name, student number, birthdate, gender, school address, or email
address (in PEI, the email address is comprised of the students
last name and first and middle initials)22What does the Freedom of
Information and Privacy Regulations Say About Records?A record
means a record of information in any form and includes:notes,
images, audiovisual recordings, x-rays, books, documents, maps,
drawings, photographs, letters, vouchers and papers and any other
information that is written, photographed, recorded or stored in
any manner, but does not include software or any mechanism that
produces records (7)
23What Responsibility Does the School Board Have Under the
School Act for Student Records?The school board shall establish
written procedures respecting the storage, retrieval and
appropriate use of student recordsNo person shall knowingly
disclose to any person any information from a student record that
identifies a student, unless the disclosure complies with the
regulations and is:made with the written consent of the students
parent, or in the case of a student who is of the age of majority,
the student (7)
AnalysisThe school board needs to be aware of how student
records are used and disclosedSince Web 2.0 tools are under the
supervision of another person, parental consent must be gained
before aspects of the students information is sharedExamples of
this include: student photographs, teacher comments on student
work, or a video of a class presentation24Department of Education
and Early Childhood DevelopmentMinisters Directive on Acceptable
Use of Communication and Information TechnologyEstablished May,
2012 to support acceptable usage of communication and information
technology in curriculum coverageprincipal is required to
administer and educate students and parentsexpectations of
acceptable usage are communicated with studentsthis directive is
primarily directed to students, however, there is value for
teachers in understanding how students are to use or not use
information, such as sharing personal informationstudents must not
divulge personal information, or use technology for illegal
activities or for activities that may cause harm or embarrassment
for themselves or others (8)Manage and evaluate school requests for
websites to be unblocked using NetSweeper (9)
25Department of Education and Early Childhood DevelopmentWebsite
Guidelines Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
(10)there is no date on this publicationthere are concerns that
this document was not created to refer to todays changed
technologies, which include social mediawhen using pictures or
names of persons on the school web site, written permission shall
be obtained from that person and from the parent or guardian this
document refers to usage of the student name and photo on the
Internet, which at the likely time of the writing of the document,
only referred to a static website and not social mediastaff may
create educational sites containing homework, resources, or lessons
This would encompass the use of class blogs, Edmodo,
etc26Information Technology Shared Services (ITSS)Government agency
charged with hardware and software maintenance Performs Privacy
Impact Assessments (11)How does a particular program or software
collect personal information?Process applies when a traditional
software application is being evaluated for use within
governmentShould Web 2.0 tools be assessed for compliance with this
assessment process?Does the evaluation and approval of Web 2.0
tools by Department of Education staff circumvent this more
stringent assessment?27Important ConsiderationsAs teachers and
administrators consider their use of Web 2.0 tools, it might be
instructive to consider several tests:Does the reasonable parent or
caregiver who sends their student to school expect that the school
may be using Web 2.0 tools to collect, store, and share their
students work and information?As educators consider the use of Web
2.0 tools, was making parents aware of the usage part of the
process?28The Evolution of Informed Consent2010 - Media Release
Form is sent home as a separate form requesting parents sign if and
only if they do not wish to have their child be a subject in a
media story (12)Possible Issue: Lacks informed and voluntary
consent.2011 - Student Information Form incorporates a media
release clause at the bottom of the form that requests parents to
consent to a students picture being used in a news story involving
the school (13)Possible Issue: Does not explicitly state use on the
Internet2012 - Student Information Form media release clause adds a
I consent or I do not consent check boxes (14) Consenting gives the
school or board the right to publish pictures, videos, and names of
the student in print publications or on the school or board
website.Does this extend to the use of social media tools such as
WordPress?School Website Guidelines refers to the Internet,
however, we feel this document has not been updated to reflect
todays technologiesPossible Issue: How broad is the concept of
school or board website? Does it include tools being used to extend
the school web site such as Facebook and Twitter?29Thinking back to
the scenariosPosting Picture to TwitterDisplaying Student work on
WordPressUsing Edmodo for classroom managementCan any of these
scenarios be accomplished without parental consent?Do our current
consent forms adequately cover this usage of Web 2.0?What other
precautions, procedures, or activities might help to mitigate the
risks?
30RecommendationsImprove consent forms to explicitly state how
student work, photos, videos and personal information might be used
within Web 2.0 tools31RecommendationsCreate a single document that
informs the practices of schools and teachers with respect to Web
2.0 tools since there are many acts, policies, and organizations
that affect how these tools might be used.32RecommendationsStart an
employee intake process that includes the signing of an agreement
which includes aspects of the use of student data, protection of
privacy, and guidelines for the effective and safe use of Web 2.0
tools. This document would provide greater Web 2.0 clarity for
teachers and administrators.33RecommendationsImplement a continuous
collection of employee acceptable use acceptance so that users
agree to the Acceptable Use Agreement on a frequent basis (perhaps
yearly). This could be implemented using a survey tool or as part
of network authentication.34RecommendationsLimit the use of the
students last name, identification of the school, school, or home
address in any Web 2.0 tool.35RecommendationsImplement an anonymous
email aliases for students email. The student and teacher email
aliases are currently based on the users first and last name and
this could affect the protection of privacy.36RecommendationsUpdate
recommendations for school websites to better reflect integration
with Web 2.0 tools.37ReferencesWeb 2.0 Summit. (n.d.) In Wikipedia.
Retrieved November 19, 2011 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0_SummitOReilly, Tim (2005,
September 30). What is Web 2.0? Retrieved from
http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.htmlOReilly, Tim
(2005, October 1). Web 2.0: compact definition? Retrieved from
http://radar.oreilly.com/2005/10/web-20-compact-definition.htmlCommonCraft.
com. (2008, May 28) Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPEDunn, J. (2010, July 8).
The 35 best web 2.0 classroom tools chosen by you. Retrieved from
http://edudemic.com/2010/07/the-35-best-web-2-0-classroom-tools-chosen-by-you/Government
of Prince Edward Island School Act. Retrieved from
http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/s-02_1.pdfGovernment of
Prince Edward Island School Act. Retrieved from
http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/f-15_01.pdf38ReferencesDepartment
of Education and Early Childhood Development. (2012, May 10).
Minister's directive MD No. 2012-02 acceptable use of communication
and information technology. Retrieved from
http://www.gov.pe.ca/eecd/index.php3?number=1043875&lang=EDepartment
of Education and Early Childhood Development. (n.d.). Unblock site
request. Retrieved from
http://www.edu.pe.ca/journeyon/stchelp/UnblockSiteRequest2.htmDepartment
of Education and Early Childhood Development. (n.d.). Recommended
guidelines for school websites. Retrieved from
http://www.edu.pe.ca/journeyon/techsupport/guidelinesschoolwebpage.htmlInformation
Technology Share Services of Prince Edward Island. (n.d.). Privacy
Impact Assessment. Eastern School District of Prince Edward Island.
(2010). Media Consent Form.Eastern School District of Prince Edward
Island. (2011). Student Information Form.Eastern School District of
Prince Edward Island. (2012). Student Information Form.39