The typical implementation process for ClassDojo software involves several steps:
Initial Setup: This includes creating accounts for teachers, students, and parents, and setting up classrooms within the platform.
Customization: Teachers can customize the behavior tracking and communication features to fit their classroom needs.
Training: Training sessions are provided to ensure that all users are comfortable with the platform.
Launch: The software is rolled out to the entire school or district.
The timeline for implementation can vary depending on the size of the school or district, but it generally takes a few weeks to a couple of months from initial setup to full deployment.
Customisation
ClassDojo offers a range of customization options to fit specific educational needs. Teachers can customize behavior tracking categories, communication settings, and classroom themes. However, the platform is primarily designed for educational settings, so customization for non-educational business needs may be limited.
Additional Costs
ClassDojo is free for teachers, students, and parents. However, there may be additional costs for premium features or school-wide implementations. These costs can include:
Setup Fees: Generally, there are no setup fees for basic use.
Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance is typically included in the service.
Support Charges: Basic support is free, but premium support options may incur additional charges.
Training
ClassDojo provides a comprehensive range of training and support resources to help new users get started and make the most of the platform. These resources include:
Interactive Training Sessions: ClassDojo offers a variety of interactive training sessions tailored to different user needs. These sessions cover topics such as basic setup and overview, encouraging positive behavior, increasing family engagement, and advanced features for teachers. There are also specific sessions for school leaders and administrators focused on building schoolwide communities and updating directories.
Recorded Trainings: For users who prefer to learn at their own pace, ClassDojo provides recorded training sessions. These sessions are led by educators and cover essential topics like communication, behavior management, and advanced features. Users can access these recordings anytime, which is particularly useful for those with busy schedules.
Helpdesk and FAQ: ClassDojo maintains a robust helpdesk and FAQ section on their website, offering answers to common questions and issues. This resource is designed to provide quick and easy solutions to common problems users might encounter.
Additional Resources: Beyond formal training sessions, ClassDojo offers a wealth of additional resources, including slides, guides, and tutorials, to help users get the most out of the platform. These resources are available for teachers, students, families, and school leaders.
Security Measures
ClassDojo places a high priority on data privacy and security, implementing several robust measures to protect user data:
Encryption: All data transmitted through ClassDojo is encrypted using HTTPS (HTTP over TLS), ensuring that data is secure both in transit and at rest. This encryption helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Physical Security: ClassDojo's services are hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS), which employs industry-leading physical security measures. These include restricted access paths, access control systems, surveillance facilities, and alarm systems. AWS data centers are regularly audited by third-party auditors to ensure compliance with stringent security standards.
Access Controls: ClassDojo implements strict access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data. This includes user identification and authentication procedures, strong password policies, and multi-factor authentication. Access to the infrastructure is logged and monitored to detect any unauthorized access attempts.
Data Access Control: The platform ensures that only individuals with the necessary permissions can access student data. This is achieved through internal policies, differentiated access rights, and monitoring and logging of access. Unauthorized access to personally identifiable information is subject to disciplinary action.
Compliance with GDPR: ClassDojo complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets a high standard for data protection and privacy. The platform has updated its privacy policies and terms of service to provide transparency and control over user information. This includes detailed guidelines on the collection, storage, and use of personal data.
Updates
ClassDojo regularly releases updates to enhance its platform and address any issues. These updates include new features, improvements to existing functionalities, and security patches. The frequency of updates can vary, but they are typically rolled out several times a year to ensure the platform remains current and effective for its users. ClassDojo manages these updates by informing users through notifications within the app and on their website. This proactive communication helps ensure that users are aware of new features and any changes that might affect their experience.
Data Ownership and Portability
Data Ownership: ClassDojo asserts that users own their data. This includes any content or information provided by students, parents, teachers, and school leaders. ClassDojo does not claim ownership of this data and emphasizes that it is committed to maintaining user control over their personal information.
Data Portability: ClassDojo supports data portability, allowing users to access, correct, and delete their personal information. Users can exercise these rights through their account settings or by contacting ClassDojo directly. The platform provides tools for users to download their data, ensuring that they can take their information out of ClassDojo if they choose to do so.
Scaling Up / Down
ClassDojo offers flexibility in its service to accommodate the changing needs of schools and classrooms. Here are the key terms for scaling up or down:
Free Core Features: ClassDojo's core features are free for all schools, making it easy for schools to start using the platform without financial commitment. This allows schools to scale up their usage of ClassDojo without incurring additional costs.
ClassDojo Plus: For those who need enhanced features, ClassDojo offers a premium subscription called ClassDojo Plus. This subscription can be scaled up or down based on the number of users or the specific features required. Pricing and options for ClassDojo Plus can be found within the app or on the ClassDojo website.
The terms & conditions for contract renewal and cancellation
Contract Renewal
Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions to ClassDojo Plus are set to renew automatically. Users are notified of the renewal and can manage their subscription settings to allow or prevent automatic renewal.
Modification of Terms: ClassDojo reserves the right to modify its terms of service, including those related to premium features and renewals. Users are notified of any significant changes, which take effect 30 days after the notice unless they are for legal reasons or new functions, in which case they are effective immediately.
Cancellation
Cancellation Process: Users can cancel their ClassDojo Plus subscription at any time. The cancellation process can be completed through the ClassDojo app by navigating to Account Settings, selecting "ClassDojo Plus," and then choosing "Manage/Cancel subscription".
Refunds and Charges: Depending on the timing of the cancellation, users might be charged for the current billing cycle, but they will not be charged for subsequent cycles. Specific refund policies can be found in the terms of service or by contacting ClassDojo support.
Termination by School Personnel or Parents
School Personnel: School personnel can terminate their use of the service or a student account by contacting ClassDojo. Schools may have specific requirements that need to be met before termination is processed.
Parents: Parents can terminate their child's account by contacting ClassDojo, with identity verification required. If the account was created by the school, parents must first contact the school to request termination due to legal obligations under FERPA and various state student privacy laws.
Data Transfer and Deletion
Data Portability: ClassDojo supports data portability, allowing users to download their data before terminating their account. This ensures that users retain access to their information even after they stop using the service.
Data Deletion: Upon termination, ClassDojo will delete user data as per their privacy policy, unless otherwise requested to transfer the data to an Outside School Child Account for continued access by the student or parent.
Compliance
Compliance Standards
1. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
ClassDojo is compliant with FERPA, a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The platform has earned a FERPA seal from iKeepSafe, signifying that its policies and practices help schools meet FERPA obligations. Under FERPA, schools can share personally identifiable information (PII) from students' education records with third-party service providers like ClassDojo, provided certain conditions are met, such as using the "School Official" or "Directory Information" exceptions.
ClassDojo is fully compliant with COPPA, which regulates the online collection of personal information from children under 13. The platform has received the iKeepSafe COPPA Safe Harbor seal, indicating that its website, platform, and apps have been reviewed and approved for having policies and practices consistent with COPPA guidelines. This includes obtaining parental consent before collecting personal information from children.
3. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
ClassDojo complies with GDPR, a regulation in the European Union that governs data protection and privacy for individuals within the EU. The platform has updated its privacy policy and terms of service to provide transparency and control over user information, ensuring that personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently. ClassDojo also participates in the EU-US and Swiss-US Privacy Shield frameworks, which facilitate the transfer of personal data from the EU to the U.S. in compliance with GDPR.
4. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
ClassDojo adheres to the CCPA, which grants California residents specific rights regarding their personal information. This includes the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to request deletion of personal information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information. ClassDojo's privacy policy includes detailed disclosures required by the CCPA and other U.S. state data privacy laws.
5. Student Privacy Pledge
ClassDojo is a signatory to the Student Privacy Pledge, a commitment to safeguard student privacy by adhering to a set of principles that include responsible stewardship, protection, and transparent handling of student personal information.
6. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
ClassDojo complies with PIPEDA, a Canadian law that governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activities. The platform ensures that its privacy protections are consistent with applicable privacy laws in Canada, including those in British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec.
7. Industry Certifications
ClassDojo's data centers, managed by Amazon Web Services (AWS), comply with several industry standards and certifications, including:
SOC 1/SSAE 16/ISAE 3402
SOC 2 & SOC 3
PCI DSS Level 1
ISO 27001
FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act)
DIACAP Level 2 (Department of Defense Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process).
