Highline Digital Tools
A committee comprised of members of Communications, Technology, and Teaching Learning & Leadership departments exists to evaluate digital tools. Before using a digital tool with students or families, please review the our LearnPlatform Library of Tools. This process exists to offer guidance around the selection of digital tools that are safe to use with students and align with Highline's strategic plan goals and foundations. Starting in fall 2019, teachers and staff will be able to submit a tool for review that has not already been reviewed. Until then, staff should email Meghan Terwillegar for information about submitting requests.
Library of Tools LearnPlatform
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Considerations
Please consider these questions when determining whether or not you should submit a digital tool for review:
- Does the digital tool involve communication with students or families?
- Is there an already approved tool that serves the same purpose?
- Do you have to share student identifiable information to set up student accounts? (includes those that use Google single-sign on)
- Do you intend for this to be used in multiple schools or for a district adoption including pilots?
- Will it require HPS funds?
- Is the intended purpose delivery of instructional content?
If your answer to any of these questions is YES, please request that the tool be reviewed by the committee.
Does the digital tool meet our criteria?
The committee's goal is to ensure teachers and students have access to the digital tools that support their work and that also meet our obligation to comply with state and federal law and best practices as stated in our Acceptable Use Policy and Equity Policy. The committee also reviews tools using the Equity Tool.
Additionally, unless adopted as core material, any digital tool is supplemental, used to support the core material. Digital tools play a role in supporting a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum, but unless specifically adopted, do not replace adopted core material.
Digital Tool Categories
Approved Digital Tools
Approved Digital Tools are tools Highline has purchased for use equitably across the district. These tools are necessary for ensuring our students have access to high-quality resources and graduate with the problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary to live and work responsibly in a digital world. Approved Digital Tools meet state and district requirements for data security and archival. They are are in alignment with Highline’s Acceptable Use Policy and Equity Policy. The tools also align with our instructional framework outlined by the Teaching Learning & Leadership Department.
Conditional Digital Tools
Denied Digital Tools
Denied Digital Tools are tools that do not meet Highline’s standards for use with students and families according to the criteria (listed below). Denied tools are blocked by our firewalls. Refer to "Resources" in the details of a tool for suggestions for alternative tools in our library of tools. Or, submit a request to review a tool from the Learn Community.
- The digital tool does not meet archiving standards.
- The digital tool does not meet data privacy standards (WA State Privacy Agreement, FERPA, COPPA etc).
- The digital tool does not align with our instructional frameworks.
- The digital tool does not meet the requirements outlined in HPS’s equity policy.
- The digital tool does not meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities.
- We already have an approved digital tool that fulfills the same purpose.
Pending
Digital Tool Criteria
Instruction
Not Applicable
The digital tool does not serve to deliver instructional content.
Denied
The digital tool does not support standards-based instruction and does not have useful data (or does not provide any data for instructional use).
Approved Conditionally
The digital tool supports standards-based instruction and provides useful instructional data.
Approved
The digital tool explicitly indicates standards-alignment and provides useful instructional data that aids in personalizing learning for students.
Equity
Archiving & Content Retention
Not Applicable
The digital tool does not have a communication component.
Denied
The digital tool does not allow archival of content in a manner that allows HPS to retrieve archived content through requests to the application vendor.
Duration of content retention is limited or not existent.
Approved Conditionally
Means for archiving content are possible with this tool or portions of the tool might be used without the need for archiving.
Means for archiving content are possible with this tool or portions of the tool might be used without the need for archiving.
Approved
The digital tool allows full archiving of all content in a manner that allows HPS to retrieve all archived content directly from the company or application.
Duration of content retention matches state/federal requirements for archived content as mandated by the Freedom of Information Act (foia.gov).
Technology Support & Data Security
Not Applicable
The digital tool does not include student data exchange or technical support from HPS staff.
Denied
The digital tool allows for limited or no district administration of accounts and limited or no reporting on activity and system use.
The digital tool requires moderate technical (or other) support from Highline staff.
Approved Conditionally
The digital tool will be used with a few classes within the district and does not require Highline Technology Services to set up or manage accounts.
Versions of the digital tool can be used without the support from Technology Services without compromising student data security.
Approved
The digital tool allows for district administration of all accounts and reports on activity and system use.
The digital tool requires no technical (or other) support from HPS staff.
Accessibility
Not Applicable
Always applicable.
Denied
The digital tool does not comply with state and federal guidelines for accessibility.
Approved Conditionally
The digital tool complies with state and federal guidelines for accessibility.
Approved
The digital tool complies with state and federal guidelines for accessibility and explicitly identifies accessibility features.