Rocky View Schools considers posting board meetings online

RVS Briefs: From the June 21 meeting

The Rocky View School Board has directed the Superintendent of Schools, Greg Bass, to investigate whether broadcasting board meetings through audio and/or visual media online would be plausible.

The topic will be discussed again when the board resumes meetings in the fall.

Account privacy

The 21st century learning push has generated some concern over student privacy.

With signed consent by parents, RVS students have acquired access to new technologies. Google Apps are the most widely accepted technology within RVS, used by nine high schools and 17 elementary, middle and multi-level schools.

“Different grade levels use different apps,” said Kevin Wttewaall, Rocky View Schools’ director of technology for learning.

Students are being setup with Gmail email accounts with domains labeled by their names. The Gmail platform is designed for K-12 students, but there is concern someone could guess student Gmail addresses based on their names.

Wttewaall said Gmail is one of the best email applications out there.

“Google mail has excellent virus protection and spam monitoring,” he said. “It’s very safe that way.”

In Calgary, student addresses are assigned based on student numbers. RVS decided names would be less intrusive.

“It’s like using their SIN (Social Insurance Number) in their address,” Wttewaal said.

He said it is also less likely that students will use their emails to bully other students when they are held accountable by name. The update was accepted for information by the board.