Instruction, assessment platforms, reporting systems, and parent engagement solutions are all delivered with applications. With so many resources available for use in the classroom, it is easy to understand how districts acquire multiple applications and extensions. Personal preference, learning style, specific needs, etc. all contribute to overload.
A recent study has found that educators and parents are becoming increasingly frustrated with their attempts to manage these resources. Applications that are unable to integrate into a main platform causes inefficiencies in communication, data management, and overall operational effectiveness. Fragmented communication – navigating separate platforms for different functions (instruction, assessment, parent communication) disrupts workflow. This is further compounded by the number of children a parent has in a district(s).
With each application there is an added risk of data compromise and organizations should ensure the application has been properly vetted. Reading the terms of service and privacy policy and utilizing a data privacy agreement is the best practice to reduce this risk.
Beyond 3:30 p.m. – Extracurricular applications should also be vetted for minimization. Music, Band, Clubs, Fundraisers, and Athletics are all groups that should follow the same vetting and approval process as the educational applications.
Below are steps you can take to minimize the number of applications in use at your site.
- Create an application vetting committee.
- Select staff from budgetary, technical and curriculum areas.
- Create an inventory of all software applications including extensions and extracurricular apps.
- Ensure the resource aligns with the district’s educational goals.
- Use apps that will integrate with your existing platform using SSO.
- Minimize apps that achieve the same goal.
- Create a request process before purchasing or utilizing applications.
- Include a pilot with each app collecting feedback before approving for district-wide use.
- Encourage ongoing feedback from educators and parents to ensure that needs are being met.
- Train all users; administrators, educators, and parents on the app.
- Review with new teachers the applications you already have established.
- Annually review applications for deletion. A very important but often missed step.
- Attend the MOREnet Conference Student Data Privacy Track!
Guide for Developing an Internal Vetting Process
Missouri Student Privacy Alliance (MOSPA)