How will FIPPA Impact my professional practice?
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FIPPA– Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Throughout my days in school, I always knew there were rules and regulations in place to protect the privacy and information of students, guardians, and staff. I recall letters being sent home for consent of information being released. At the time, I only really understood that consent was needed but I was unsure as to what it all really meant. Back then, we rarely used online platforms for our classrooms, so the conversations surrounding FIPPA were seldom and short. Although nowadays, due to the growing technology usage within schools, it is super important for myself, especially as an educator, to abide by FIPPA. During my professional practice I will need to research and understand the privacy settings within the applications I intend to use. Prior to implementing the use of an online application, I need to ensure the students and their guardians are made aware of some very important things. They must be made aware of the following:
- Reasons
- Why and for what reasons is the personal information required?
- Purposes
- What is the purpose of the assignment or project?
- Methods
- What form of technology will be used? Why?
- Implications
- What are the potential uses of information and where will it be going?
After an explanation and request for consent is delivered, it is important for me to be concise on the fact that not every person will agree to release their personal information. It is then up to me to prepare and provide an alternative way for the student(s) to partake in the activity. Some potential alternatives could be to write in a word document without posting it, or to scribe for the student under my own name, or implement the use of an anonymous feature if one is available.
It is my duty within my professional practice to understand and implement the laws of FIPPA. I must provide necessary information to students and their guardians, and I must respect and accommodate them.
I have attached some links for further reading.
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