For week 2 we were first asked to review a couple of resources on our Professors website. The first one I looked at was the discussion of Privacy and Safety, more specifically FIPPA, Privacy, and Consent Resources. After reading this resource and brushing through the suggested links I was able to put together a brief summary. As a public school teacher in B.C., you must comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act(FIPPA) and guidelines set by the B.C. Office of Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) when handling student information. This includes obtaining informed consent before using digital tools, especially those hosted outside of Canada.

Here are some key points I took away from the readings:

  • School district policies vary: some school districts may prohibit or require the use of online learning tools hosted outside of Canada. Teachers should understand and follow their districts policies.
  • Informed Consent is Essential: When using cloud based or online tools teachers must:
    • Name each tool specifically ( “Flipgrid” instead of just “blogging )
    • Ensure parents and students understand data privacy risks, including how data may be accessed outside of Canada
    • Document when consent takes effect and when it expires
  • Legal Responsibilities:
    • Teachers act as public officials and must protect student and family privacy.
    • Privacy must always be respected, regardless of the reason ( legal protection or personal preference )
    • Even though the U.S. Patriot Act poses a minimal risk of accessing Canadian student data, educators must still prioritize data security
  • Understanding Digital Privacy:
    • Be aware of how data moves through the U.S. based services ( Dropbox, Google, Apple, et. )
    • Use alternative methods if consent is not obtained to ensure student can still participate in learning.
  • Digital Literacy & Online Citizenship
    • Teachers should model responsible online behavior for students
    • They should integrate privacy and digital literacy concepts into their teaching, as outlined in Section 4(b) of the B.C. Digital Literacy Framework

By following these guidelines, educators can integrate technology into teaching while protecting student privacy and complying with provincial laws. I found that while some of this information we were introduced to, I was partially aware of, most of it was new or more detailed information. I found the readings and additional links on this topic very informative as other than this class, the topic is only brushed on. I feel as though the biggest thing to keep in mind is the teachers responsibilities: Making sure to stay informed about OIPC, FIPPA, and Computing Guidelines, Recognize the importance of informed consent when using digital tools, Respect individual privacy choices and understand legal implications, Educate students about privacy and responsible online behaviour, and to Be aware of how digital information is stored and processed when using network tools.

In addition here is a brief summary of the key resources related to FIPPA, Privacy and Consent for educators in B.C.:

  • OIPC B.C. – Privacy Guidelines: The official website of the B.C. Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, which provides guidance on privacy laws, including how educators should handle student data.
  • FIPPA Legislation: The full text of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), outlining the legal obligations of public bodies, including schools, in managing personal information.
  • BC Digital Literacy Framework: A framework that helps educators integrate digital literacy and privacy awareness into their teaching. It includes strategies for online safety, responsible internet use, and informed consent.
  • Privacy Education for Kids: A resource from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada that provides materials for teaching students about online privacy and digital citizenship.
  • Information Security Awareness – BC Government: A government resource offering best practices for protecting personal information, preventing data breaches, and understanding cybersecurity risks.
  • Victoria School District Consent Process: An example of how a B.C. school district manages informed consent for using cloud-based learning tools, ensuring compliance with FIPPA regulations.

By looking through these resources I was able to gain valuable guidance for teachers in understanding privacy laws, protecting student information and integrating digital literacy into the classroom.

Additionally, after class I wanted to reflect on our visit from Jesse Miller. In class the main topic he discussed with us was the impact of social media and mobile technology and its impact on education. I found his lecture incredibly engaging and insightful. He emphasized on the significant role teachers play in teaching about the digital world. I found his points on AI in education very interesting. He explained how AI can be both a support tool for students and teachers. He highlighted its potential for lesson planning and student learning supports. I found this so fascinating to hear this perspective as most Professors I have experienced thus far are very against AI. I personally love using it to support my planning for work activities. For my job I work in a before and after school care facility and as part of my job, I plan our monthly calendar. It is great for assisting with creating themes, supply lists and even craft or activity ideas based on what I ask of it. I find it is a great starting point that I can further customize to fit the needs of our group. From what I have found, AI when used appropriately has the potential to be a useful and time saving tool. While many still view AI as a shortcut or a sign of laziness, I believe it is a smart and efficient way to enhance teaching. I believe that this could be a great tool to help curve the risk of burnout so common among teachers.

To read and learn more about Jesse Miller’s teachings, here is the link to his website: https://www.mediatedreality.com/