Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario

School Program

Bob Spence, Communication Co-ordinator

Robert Binstock, Registrar

Purpose of this Presentation

• What is the purpose of the IPC School Program?

• How was the IPC School Program developed?

• What is the IPC School Program?

• How can copies of the IPC School Program materials be obtained?

What is the Purpose of the IPC School Program?

• The IPC acts independently of government to uphold and promote open government and the protection of personal privacy.

• The purpose of the School Program is to help satisfy our public education mandate.

How was the IPC School Program Developed?

• Curriculum/Educational Consultant

• IPC Staff

• Teachers/Consultants reviewed material

What is the IPC School Program?

• The program is called What Students Should Know About Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy.

• A series of classroom activities delivered by a teacher.

What is the IPC School Program?

• Program materials consist of a custom- designed teacher’s guide which includes:

– Background information on the law;– List of reference materials; and– Activities focusing on various aspects of open

government and privacy protection.

What is the IPC School Program?

• Grade 5 Program:– Complements the Social Studies unit called

Aspects of Government in Canada.

• Grade 10 Program:– Addresses the Civics course requirements for

teachers to cover the topics of freedom of information and protection of privacy.

What is the IPC School Program?

• Program uses a variety of classroom activities, including:– cartoons– newspaper articles– case studies– a day in the life of a student – Internet-based research

Grade 5 Examples

Using the Act

• Uses humour to introduce the value of freedom of information.

• Caption: “Using the Freedom of Information Act, Charlie is sent a list of things they put in hot dogs.”

Practical Use of the Act

• Demonstrates the practical use of FOI legislation in Ontario.

River Polluted Chalk River, Ont. - For nearly 20 years, the nuclear complex in Chalk River leaked more than 4,000 litres of radioactive water each and every day through the soil to the Ottawa River.

But an access to information request

filed by Lynn Jones of nearby Pembroke shows the leak carried large amounts of radioactive water into the river, which supplies drinking water for many communities downstream, for nearly two decades.

May 29, 1997 A Canadian Press story published in the Globe and

Mail. All material copyright The Canadian Press.

Thinking about Individual Rights

• Students given series of statements.

• In groups, asked to

identify if they Agree/Disagree/Not Sure.

• Turn into “Rights” statements.

• Statements:– I should know if a book club is

going to sell my personal information.

– My teacher should provide me with a list of the home addresses of all the students in my class.

– I should be able to find out how my asthma medication will affect me.

– A store should not have to tell me that it is videotaping me while I shop.

Illustration

• Used to “break the ice” with students and to introduce the concepts of collection and use of personal information.

Privacy Alert

• Practical example of collection of personal information.

• Students complete form.

• We encourage students to become “watchdogs” to protect their personal information.

YES! Please enroll me in the CHAPTER EATERS’ BOOK CLUB at the special introductory price of $7.50

Boy Girl Grade Student’s First Name Last Address Apt. City/Town Province Postal Code Telephone Number (include area code) Birth date Kinds of books you like to read Favourite musical group 3 TV shows you watch regularly Sports you play Favourite running shoes Hockey team you like best Favourite video games Video games you like to play Parent’s Name Parent’s Occupation Age Parent’s Signature

Grade 10 Examples

Freedom of Information Matters

• Through the review of newspaper articles, the students examine;

– the concept of open government and its importance as a public value; and

– how freedom of information laws reflect this value and the importance they play in ensuring government accountability.

Contrast in Access to Information

• Chalk River article used in Grade 5 is also used in Grade 10

• Students read an article from a Belarusian scientist, about the secrecy surrounding the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.

• Students contrast the access issues in the two articles.

Canada’s Government

• Introduces students to the concepts of “open government” and “individual rights” within the governments of Canada.

• Students discuss the meaning of the phrases “freedom of information” and “protection of privacy.”

Personal Information and Privacy Matters

• The students examine the concepts of personal information and privacy through activities such as:

– Privacy Quiz;

– A Day in the Life of a Student

– Privacy Tips

– Consumer and Workplace Privacy: Using the Web

– Case Studies: Privacy at Risk?

Researching Student Questions

• The teacher keeps a record of students’ questions raised during the activities.

• Students work in groups to research and prepare a response to a question.

Student Presentations

• Each group of students will present to the class the response to the question they researched.

• The group will also present recommendations for changes to help improve the freedom of information and protection of privacy system.

Assessment Activities for Teachers

• Each teacher’s guide includes assessment activities for teachers to assess:

– each student’s understanding of the new concepts;

– and each student’s ability to apply his/her understanding in written, oral and visual forms.

Teacher Feedback Form

• Each teacher’s guide includes a teacher feedback form.

• The IPC seeks feedback on the appropriateness and effectiveness of the program.

Ask an Expert - Speaker Program

• Grade 5 – IPC staff member completes the first activity with the class.

• Grade 10 – IPC staff member attends class to answer student questions as the last activity.

• Limited number of speakers, focused in the Greater Toronto area.

How Can Copies of the School Program be Obtained?

• Copies available after presentation.

• Download from IPC Web site at: www.ipc.on.ca

• Contact Bob Spence at (416) 326-3939, toll free at 1-800-387-0073, or via e-mail at: bspence@ipc.on.ca.

THANK YOU