Hello, my name is Alex and I am going to analyze Zoom as a tool for education. To analyze them, our teacher Linda has provided us with two tools which are a rubric for eLearning Tool Evaluation which allows us to make a functional, technical, and pedagogical evaluation of out tool and a Privacy common sense Program to evaluate the Zoom private policies.
Zoom is an app that allows us to hold online meetings. In the educational field, Zoom is being one of the tools most used by teachers and students due to the pandemic we are experiencing. However, is zoom a good educational tool? Is it safe for our students?
First of all, I am going to evaluate Zoom through the Rubric for eLearning Tool Evaluation.
In relation to Functionality, Zoom allows us to divide the meeting participants into smaller groups depending on the needs of the session. In addition, it is a very an easy use application and both, teachers and students can learn how to use it quickly without problems. In addition this tool has a technical support and a help center to solve any problem that could appear. Finally, it is important to mention that Zoom allows teachers and students to communicate through audio, image or text messages.
Moving to Accessibility, Zoom enables to reach student needs and opportunities for student engagement. In addition, for the correct use of this tool, basic equipment that normally all teachers and students have, is needed. Also, the use of this tool if free for students.
Regarding to technical aspects, any operating system and browser can use zoom. Therefore, students won´t have any problem in that aspect. Also, they don't need extra software. Students only need to download Zoom and the updates that Zoom makes.
The students can access to Zoom by a mobile phone. However, the user experience improves on a computer because some features are limited in the mobile phone. In addition, as it is an application that allows online meetings, it cannot be used offline.
In terms of Privacy and Data Protection, as it is an application that requires people to be identified as members of the educational center to enter a meeting, students and teachers must register and give their educational data. For example, this data is used to show the name and avatar in meetings, or to receive information about updates. Another important aspect is that Zoom does not allow those under 16 to create an account. Schools use Zoom through a specific account for them.
Moreover, it allows users to interact each other. Teachers can monitor student data such as class attendance. Teachers can encourage students to vote and participate in some questionaries. Another positive point is that Zoom is well known so students are already familiar with it.
Furthermore, as it is an app that allows teaching, students can exercise their thinking skills and receive feedback.
To continue with, the Common Sense Privacy Program wants to protect the privacy of students when using technological tools. In addition, the program evaluates the privacy policies of these tools to let teachers know which are the best and most appropriate for their students. This program gives a privacy rating to each technological tool. This rating contains 3 qualifications that are `Pass, Warning and Fail´.
In the case of Zoom for education, the program gives a Pass for it with an score of 88%. Finally, the program gives marks that the tool deserves in different areas. The marks that this program gives to zoom are:
- Data collection 65%
- Data sharing 85%
- Data security: 95%
- Data rights 95%
- Data sold 45%
- Data safety 65%
- Ads & Tracking 85%
- Parental consent 60%
- School purpose 70%
Comments
Post a Comment