What?

The advent of cloud computing, or using the internet to manage and store data on remote network services, has caused an enormous transfer of personal information previously stored on personal computers to both domestic and foreign online service providers, particularly social networking sites. To regulate this, FIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) ensures that information is used and collected in a legal, appropriate way.

So what?

FIPPA affects how a teacher may use personal information about their students. For example, any information which can identify a student must remain confidential and secure. Moreover, it is required that personal information be stored on servers within Canada unless consent is first given by students and parents. Importantly, even though the majority of students are already routinely using a variety of social media and web tools in their private lives including Google Docs, Dropbox and Skype, incorporating that technology into the classroom creates new responsibilities on the part of the instructor. Teachers will therefore have to determine whether the benefits of the technology outweigh the potential inconvenience with regards to an assignment. As students have the right to refuse the disclosure of personal information, teachers will need alternative means of creating an assignment that still meets the instructors intended learning goals without putting them at a disadvantage with to other students because of their refusal. However, many technologies allow the uses of aliases, which would allow teachers to get around difficulties regarding FIPPA compliance. I fear that many teachers, especially ones who are uncomfortable with social media and technology, will avoid the potential headaches involved with sites such as Instagram and opt for safer, traditional means of communication and information delivery.

Now what?

Although the challenges of FIPPA compliance seem daunting, it is encouraging to know that there are many tools which can replace many of the perceived ‘taboo’ apps. For example, students can communicate and share information using Word Press hosting, which is web hosted in Canada. Mattermost, which we use in EDCI 336. can replace non -compliant sites such as Slack and Microsoft Word can be an alternative to Google Docs. With a clear understanding of the value of a given technology and a little flexibility, teachers can safely navigate around FIPPA while still encouraging students to engage in multi-literacies in their learning.