Resource Package Submission2016

MATHSEEDS: SOCIAL OVERVIEW
Contents of this package contain information

pertaining to the use of Mathseeds in the elementary
MEDIA RESOURCE school classroom and specify requirements involving
background information, informed consent, account
creation and general safe use practices.
PACKAGE Stefanie Crema
Resources for using Mathseeds with primary OLTD 506, Fall 2016;Professor J.Hengstler
students
Mathseeds Resource Package By Stefanie Crema
Date: October 2016
RESOURCE PACKAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS
About This Social Media Tool ..........................................................................................................2

Tool Backgrounder .........................................................................................................................4
Consent Form.................................................................................................................................7
Essentials for Instruction .............................................................................................................. 10
References................................................................................................................................... 14
Created for Vancouver Island University Faculty of Education Course: OLTD 506 Fall 2016 1
Date: October 2016
About This Social Media Tool
TOOL Name Mathseeds

TOOL URL http://mathseeds.com
Mathseeds is a blended math program where teachers have the
ability to cater to the needs of students at differing levels and allow
for a more personalized experience. Students are assigned a
username and password and are able to access their account
through the school account as well as at home through a separate
parent account. They are able to access it at home through the
school account too. Students are able to work at their own pace
and move through the concepts as they master them. Mathseeds
General Description
offers a number of formative and summative tools throughout their
program. It presents itself as an appealing tool meant to motivate
and engage young learners. Mathseeds enables the teacher to
have a clear picture on where their class is at through the reporting
feature. If parents choose to open their own parent account, they
have the ability to link to their childs account to enable viewing of
their progress as they move forward through the Mathseeds
program.
Is it Open or Fenced?
Mathseeds is a fenced tool
Storage External to
Storage: External to Canada. This is an Australian company, but it
Canada?
appears that the server is located in San Francisco, USA.
Accessible External to
Canada? Yes, this site is accessible external to Canada.
Name of school/location
Simon Cunningham Elementary School - SD#36
where I plan to use this
Is it public or private?
Public
Level?
Elementary Grade 3
Particular subject,
class, or course Math
User groups
Students, Teachers & Parents
Applicable Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Legislation/Policies in My (FIPPA)
Context SD#36 Student Acceptable Use Policy
Date: October 2016
SD#36 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Access and Use
Guidelines for student use and parent use
Students who are not yet at grade level will use this program to
learn, practice and reinforce skills needed prior to achieving
Activity Idea 1 success at their grade level in class with support. Working
independently at their own level will increase the likelihood of
success.
This program will be used for students to reinforce math concepts
Activity Idea 2 at home after having learned them in class. It will give their parents
a chance to see how their children perform in math.
Access to the iPad cart, consent form for parents to sign, in class
Necessary Resources support to assist in the start-up of new program, alternate practice
activity for those with limited or no access at home, guidelines for
using the tool at home and parent information and instruction
Date: October 2016
Tool Backgrounder
Mathseeds
Mathseeds What is it?
Mathseeds is an educational blended Math program. It is geared for students aged 3-8 and provides
them with engaging, interactive and motivating lessons and activities to help teach them the core
concepts of Math, while also utilizing the technological tools that are available to them. Students will
participate in lessons, practice and assessment activities while using this program. Because of the online
nature of this program, students are able to personalize their learning to suit their own specific needs
and levels.
Educational Rationale
Learning Math is not a one size fits all type of program. Students reach mastery and understanding of
concepts at different times and in different ways. It is important that students are able to progress and
learn at a level that challenges them, yet allows for deep understanding. Mathseeds provide teachers
and students opportunities to personalize their learning, which should aid in building greater
understanding around fundamental Math concepts.
Privacy
The nature of online programs and activities require us all to be aware of the safety and privacy risks
involved in participating online.
While using Mathseeds, students will be required to use their first name and last initial in order
login and be added to our Mathseeds online classroom. The teacher will create the classroom
account and then add the students to their class using their first name and last initial. No other
personal information will be required unless parents wish to create their own online parent
account in which case parents would be required to provide their first/last name and email
address.
As stated by BCs Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, when students personal
information will be stored external to Canada, we as educators are required to obtain explicit
informed consent by the prescribed manner under FIPPA (Hengstler, 2016). Personal
identifiable information is any type of information that could potentially identify a user. In this
particular case that information would be the students name. Since Mathseeds is an Australian
based company and has its server located in San Francisco, USA, parental consent is required
prior to students using the program. The need for these stringent privacy regulations stem from
the 9/11 attack in the USA. At that particular time BCs Medical Services Plan (MSP) was housed
on servers located on US soil. The US was then at liberty to search our personal identifiable
information since it fell under US territory and laws. It is important that we understand where
our information is and who is able to legally access it.
Mathseeds privacy policy indicates that they do collect information such as name, address and
credit card upon registration, however this pertains only to the teacher who is opening and
operating the account. Mathseeds makes use of cookies to help enhance the experience for
Date: October 2016
users. Mathseeds also states We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties
your personally identifiable information unless we provide you with advance notice . In this
case, the owner of the account (the teacher), would be notified at which time the teacher when
then notify parents of the notice provided by Mathseeds. For further information, please refer
to Mathseeds privacy policy at http://readingeggs.com/privacy/
Privacy Risk
As with any online program, Mathseeds is not without risk. There is potential for risk each time we
consent to the terms and policies of a program. Although Mathseeds is a fenced program, there is
always the risk that hackers could potentially gain access to our program and obtain the personal
identifiable information provided. Due to this fact, students will be educated on how to create and
maintain closed privacy settings prior to beginning. In addition, students will be made aware of the
importance of keeping the user names and passwords private so to minimize the risk of others gaining
access to their accounts. As their teacher, I will do my very best to ensure the online safety of your
children and make them aware of the risks involved with not only this program but any online program
where sharing personal information is necessary.
Surrey School District Policy

When using Mathseeds, we will be adhering to SD#36 Student Acceptable Use Policy and SD#36
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Access and Use Policy. For further details, please
access the links below.
Acceptable Use Policy

https://www.surreyschools.ca/schools/laronde/Publications/Computer%20Acceptable%20Use%
20Policy.pdf
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Access and Use

https://www.surreyschools.ca/departments/SECT/PoliciesRegulations/section_5000/Do
cuments/5780.2%20%20Regulation.pdf
Consent
In the event that parents choose to withhold consent for their child to participate in
Mathseeds, they will be provided with alternate learning activities that will align with the
activities offered by this program.
Additional Information
To learn more about how the Mathseeds program works, visit
http://mathseeds.com/schools/why-it-works/the-program/
Or
http://mathseeds.com/schools/white-paper/
Date: October 2016
If youd like to sign up for a free trial parent account please visit
http://mathseeds.com/parents/signup/
To familiarize yourself with Mathseeds term of service, visit

http://readingeggs.com/terms/
If you care to know more about BCs Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
(FIPPA), please read the information located here
http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/96165_00
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Stefanie Crema
Email: crema_s@surreyschools.ca
Phone: 604-588-4435
Date: October 2016
Consent Form
Mathseeds
Informed Consent
Mathseeds is an interactive online Math program geared towards students aged 3-8. Students
using this program will embark on a learning journey that provides motivating and inspiring lessons
geared to their own personal levels. The lessons, activities and assignments within the Mathseeds
program are designed with a play based learning technique in mind and allow students to progress at
their natural pace, when understanding of key concepts has been reached. Students will begin the
program at an appropriate level for themselves and progress when they are ready.
The Mathseeds program will be used in our classroom for the remainder of this school year
(until June 30, 2017), as a supplementary activity to in-class lessons. It will provide some students the
opportunity to learn in a way that more naturally fits their needs, while others might use it to reinforce
already learned topics by participating in practice lessons and activities. The Mathseeds classroom will
be set up and managed by the teacher. Students will be required to provide their first name and last
initial to sign up, at which time they will be given a username and password. Their username and
password will be unique to our own Mathseeds classroom and can be accessed from school or home. At
the completion of this school year, I (the teacher) will delete student names and individual accounts
from my classroom account, at which time they will no longer have access to the Mathseeds program.
Mathseeds is an Australian based company and their server is located in San Francisco, USA. Due
to the fact that students potentially identifiable personal information (first name and last initial) will be
stored on this program, BCs Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) requires that
we obtain informed consent from parents and/or legal guardians prior to students using this program.
Please be aware that your child will use Mathseeds program for:
o Participating in interactive online Math lessons

o Playing Math based games online
o Completing online Math assignments at their individual level
o Completing online Math quizzes at their individual level
o Receiving online rewards based on their progress throughout the program
Information that students need to provide to participate in the program:
o First name and last initial
Date: October 2016
Guidelines for Using Mathseeds
There are certain guidelines that students must follow in order to safely participate in the Mathseeds
program. Please review these with your child. They will be reviewed in class prior to beginning the
program as well.
1. Students must keep their unique user name and login password private. Allowing others to
know this information puts students online privacy at risk.
2. If parents or students believe that their online accounts have been hacked or compromised in
any way, they are to contact the teacher immediately.
3. This program is intended to be used as a learning tool and should be used following the explicit
instructions of the teacher.
4. Students may access their accounts at home to practice or complete assignments, however it is
not a necessary requirement.
5. Students must adhere to the SD#36 Acceptable Use Policy and SD#36 Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) Access and Use Policy. Refer to these documents for further
information
https://www.surreyschools.ca/schools/laronde/Publications/Computer%20Acceptable%20Use%
20Policy.pdf
https://www.surreyschools.ca/departments/SECT/PoliciesRegulations/section_5000/Document
s/5780%20Policy.pdf
6. Failure to comply with the above guidelines, will result in the student losing the privilege of
participating in this online program.
Formative and summative assessment of your childs learning using Mathseeds may be used for
reporting purposes. Due to this fact, if you choose to withhold consent for your child to participa te in
the Mathseeds program your child will be provided with alternate activities to support their learning.
Parents have the right to withhold consent for participation in any online program that involves the
sharing of student information.
Please note that while the teacher will take all precautions necessary to protect your child and your
childs privacy online, it is impossible to ensure with 100% certainty that no risk is involved with any
online tool or program.
Please keep pages 1&2 for your own records and returned page 3 to school once you have signed it.
Thank You,
Stefanie Crema
crema_s@surreyschools.ca
Date: October 2016
Mathseeds Informed Consent
I ____________________________ have read the attached Mathseeds Backgrounder & Guidelines

information and am fully aware that participation in the Mathseeds program will involve the use of my
childs first name and last initial, which will be stored and accessible external to Canada.
I _____________________________have read the attached Mathseeds Backgrounder & Guidelines

information and am fully aware of the potential risks of using the Mathseeds program and the steps that
the teacher will take to mitigate these risks.
OR
I _____________________________ do not give consent for my child to participate in the

Mathseeds program. I understand that they will be given an alternate activity in its place.
By my signature below, I agree to the use of Mathseeds by my child ______________________ for the
purposes outlined.
__________________________(Parent Signature) _________________________(Date)
__________________________(Student Signature) _________________________(Date)
Date: October 2016
Essentials for Instruction

Tool: Mathseeds
Grade Level/Year
(or Course Level--300, Grade 3
400, 500):
Class/Course/Subject:
Math whole class & small groups not yet at grade level
Use of the tool is for the remainder of the school year ending
in June 2017
Students will not all have access to the internet or tools
outside of the school
Student accounts are private
Student accounts are included as part of the teacher created
classroom account
Students will be required to provide their first name and last
initial to create their personal account
Key Assumptions: Teacher will guide the students in initial set up of their
(worth 2 pts) accounts
Teacher will guide students in logging in to their newly created
account
Teacher is familiar with how the program works and is able to
easily navigate and troubleshoot
Students will be provided access to the necessary tools to
participate and complete activities within school hours
Students have a general understanding of how to use the iPad
and computer lab
Ensure that the program meets the requirements set forth in

both the district and school policies
Have administration approve the use of the tool
Create a tool backgrounder and informed consent form for
families to read and sign
Have administration approve the tool backgrounder and
Prior to Use with
informed consent form prior to sending home with students
Class: (worth 4 pts)
Create behavioural expectations and consequences for not
meeting these expectations
Create alternate activities for those students not granted
consent to work with the tools
Ensure we have access to the appropriate tools during lesson
time. In this case we would need to have the iPad cart
Date: October 2016
reserved during certain blocks and then use the computer lab
during previously scheduled blocks
Ensure all students have access to headphones
Ensure that teacher has achieved a comfort level with
navigating the program and is easily able to manage the class
and troubleshoot when problems arise
Once signed informed consent has been received from
parents, add approved students to online Mathseeds
classroom by entering students first name and last initial
General Tool Introduction

Introduce Mathseeds tool to students using the laptop and
projector to enter the site.
Explain the general purpose for using the tool
Describe briefly the different types of activities that will be
used when participating in Mathseeds
Brainstorm and discuss as a class the appropriate ways to use
an online tool such as Mathseeds what does this look like?
Brainstorm what inappropriate use of this tool might look
like?
Review the behavioural expectations and consequences
Use With Class: guideline that was created
(worth 12 pts) Review the simplified terms of use and privacy policy in
language that suits the grade 3 level
introduction to tool
Demonstrate how to login using the unique username and
use-4 pts
password assigned to them
planned activity 1--
Demonstrate and assist students in changing their unique
4 pts
planned activity 2--
individual avatars
Demonstrate and assist students in entering the individual
4 pts)
Math placement test to ensure they are working at the
appropriate level prior to starting
Explain the different functions in Mathseeds (e.g. Lessons,
Assignments, Arcade, Treehouse, etc)
Activity 1:
Using the projector introduce the Mathseeds online book
Number Patterns
Hand students a hard copy of 4 small 100s charts
Have students complete the patterns on their hard copies as
we read the book together online
Once the book has been read and patterns have been
reviewed, specific students (not yet at grade level) will login
Date: October 2016
to their Mathseeds accounts. Remainder of students will

continue with the in class assignment
Each student will have a lesson assigned to them by the
teacher waiting for them to begin as they login
Teacher will assign the lesson based on the students initial
Mathseeds placement and other in class observations and
assessments
Students click on the start lesson to begin their work for the
day
Students will progress through the lesson at their own pace
If the lesson is completed within the allotted time during the
period, they have the option of accessing the playroom,
arcade or rewards store for the remainder of the period
If the lesson is incomplete, students have the option to
continue the lesson at home (if access is available) or to
continue the lesson during next class period
Activity 2:
Introduce in class patterning lesson (increasing patterns/skip

counting)
Students complete in class assignment associated with lesson
finding and completing the pattern finding the pattern rule
Once students have completed in class assignment, direct
them to login to their Mathseeds account using their unique
user name and password
At this time, all students will access the driving test section
of their account
They will choose Test 1 from the pattern section of the
driving test options
Students will complete the test
At the completion of the test, students will be rewarded with
a game if they were successful
If they werent successful, they will be directed to try again
Students will reinforce the skills addressed in our lesson by
practicing interactively with the Mathseeds program
Upon completion of the driving test and reward game,
students may choose to continue to the arcade, playroom or
treehouse for further Math fun!
Date: October 2016
Since the students using the program are of a young age, and
After Class Activities
because it is a teacher created classroom account I will
with Tool Complete:
personally delete each students name from the classroom
(worth 2 pts)
account and the program. At this time, students will no longer
have access to the Mathseeds program.
Date: October 2016
References
Hengstler, J. (2016). FIPPA & you. Retrieved from

https://d2l.viu.ca/d2l/le/content/90675/viewContent/936752/View
Mathseeds (2016). Privacy policy. Retrieved from http://readingeggs.com/privacy/

Resource Package Submission2016

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MATHSEEDS: SOCIAL OVERVIEW

Contents of this package contain information

RESOURCE PACKAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS

About This Social Media Tool ..........................................................................................................2

About This Social Media Tool

TOOL Name Mathseeds

Applicable Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

SD#36 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Surrey School District Policy

Acceptable Use Policy

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Access and Use

To familiarize yourself with Mathseeds term of service, visit

o Participating in interactive online Math lessons

Information that students need to provide to participate in the program:

o First name and last initial

Guidelines for Using Mathseeds

Mathseeds Informed Consent

I ____________________________ have read the attached Mathseeds Backgrounder & Guidelines

I _____________________________have read the attached Mathseeds Backgrounder & Guidelines

I _____________________________ do not give consent for my child to participate in the

__________________________(Parent Signature) _________________________(Date)

__________________________(Student Signature) _________________________(Date)

Essentials for Instruction

Ensure that the program meets the requirements set forth in

General Tool Introduction

to their Mathseeds accounts. Remainder of students will

Introduce in class patterning lesson (increasing patterns/skip

Hengstler, J. (2016). FIPPA & you. Retrieved from

Mathseeds (2016). Privacy policy. Retrieved from http://readingeggs.com/privacy/

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__(Parent Signature) _(Date)

__(Student Signature) _(Date)