LearningPad Conundrum: the Perils of Using Third-Party Software and Student Privacy

This case focuses on the potential problems associated with sharing personally identifiable information (PII) when students are required to use third-party software. Specifically, third-grade students were required to complete LearningPad1 activities as a component of their homework grade in math, spelling, and language arts. As students completed activities, their class rank, total number of correct responses, and total time on task were displayed for all students in the class to see. The administration had to make a decision as to whether the use of LearningPad software and the displaying of student data were violations of student privacy laws.