Participate and share: Interactive session 
Recorded Session
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of EdTech in classrooms has surged, more than tripling its rate of usage prior to the pandemic. As a result, more students have widespread access to 1:1 devices, and internet connectivity, with some districts providing hot spots to ensure equitable internet connectivity.
While these developments have ushered in a multitude of benefits, they have also exposed children to potential risks. Among these concerns, the most prominently discussed is the commercial sexual exploitation of children, commonly referred to as "sextortion." As representatives of the District Attorney's Office, we regularly witness the prosecution of such heinous crimes. However, what has emerged as a matter of almost equal concern, yet given significantly less attention, is the datafication of children. This phenomenon occurs not just at home on personal devices, but in classrooms on school networks.
Children's safety in classrooms is being jeopardized on a daily basis, through the frequent and routine sharing of student data on EdTech platforms. It is imperative that educators are not only well-versed in effective educational practices but are also knowledgeable about the safe and legally compliant use of EdTech tools.
Our Objectives:
-Provide educators with a foundational understanding of key terminology related to data accumulation.
-Examine federal laws governing the appropriate use of EdTech in educational settings.
-Explore state laws and pending legislation that will shape the future use of EdTech in classrooms.
-Scrutinize the unintended risks associated with EdTech use within educational environments.
-Develop strategies to judiciously and securely integrate EdTech into the classroom.
This presentation aims to ensure that the transformative tools, strategies, and innovative ideas acquired at this conference can be seamlessly and responsibly integrated into every classroom. Teachers and school administrators who have taken part in this presentation have reported that it was 100% beneficial to their practice based on post-presentation surveys. Many participants have expressed that, despite their extensive teaching experience of 10+ years, they had not previously delved into the examination of federal laws and their relevance to EdTech in the classroom. Upon reflection, most educators have acknowledged that the strategies presented for safeguarding students and themselves can be readily applied in their teaching practices.
Part I: The Basics of Data Sharing and Data Amassing (10 Minutes)
Part II: Federal and State Laws Affecting EdTech Usage in the Classroom (25 Minutes)
Part III: Developing a Culture of Student Data & Privacy Protection (25 Minutes)
Part I and Part II of the presentation will be a presenter driven with back and forth participant discussion. Part III will include a portion where participants will test out vetting EdTech Tools and work on building the groundwork for a culture of student data and privacy protection. Upon leaving, participants will have access to multiple tools and resources to take back to their schools to continue their work.
https://internetsafetylabs.org/ (Specifically the annual reports and benchmark studies)
Online MassCue Webinar ("In Defense of Student Data" 8/2/2023)
“The Number of Ed-Tech Tools School Districts Use Has Almost Tripled. That’s a Problem” Education Week, Alyson Klein, August 26, 2022
“Most Tech Companies Profit Off Student Data, Even If They Say Otherwise, Report Finds” Alyson Klein, July 18, 2023
“Big Tech Makes Big Data Out of Your Child: The FERPA Loophole EdTech Exploits to Monetize Student Data” American University Business Law Review (Volume 9 Issue 3), Amy Rhoades, 2020
“Student Privacy in the Digital Age” BYU Education and Law Journal (Volume 2021, Issue 1) Susan G. Archambault, 2021
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