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Introduction

Using collaborative tools over the Internet hold certain risks and raise issues with regard to the respect of copyright and the protection of personal information. The information presented here to help you address these issues in schools and classes does not constitute a legal notice nor do we claim that it is comprehensive.

The advent of School Board Portals with their secure and personalised access will alleviate some of the concerns and issues raised here.

In a Nutshell

Discussion forums, Internet chat rooms, virtual tools such as a shared calendar, or on-line polls are just a few tools that students can use to share information. There are also simple ways for students to share files. On-line electronic Portfolios are a way for students to access and present their work to a selected audience. Videoconferencing allows them to meet and discuss with any one around the world.

Parents should be made aware of the nature of personal information shared and of the people who can access it (elementary and secondary levels), and students should be made aware of the information they are revealing. The following document (original document: Implantation de services de courriel dans les écoles : exigences à satisfaire afin d'assurer la protection des droits des personnes et le partage des responsabilités (Université de Montréal, Centre de recherche en droit public [Québec: Conseil du trésor, 2000]) may serve as a model.

Special attention must also be paid to practices that lead to file transfer, the use of an electronic portfolio or every form submitted to parents for signature should be sufficiently detailed to ensure that the consent given by parents is informed and should be for a set period of time.

Collaborative tools might rely on the use of databases which contain personal information. Access those databases should be limited and well protected by secure accesses. If personal information is used to develop a new tool based on a new database the persons concerned should be informed and their authorization should eventually be obtained.