May 27, 2020 3:40 a.m.
Roseburg Public Schools has resumed the use of Zoom for teachers and students on an optional basis.
An RPS release said they continue to prioritize the need to remain connected with students during school closures and have actively been examining methods for fostering learning and building relationships.
The resumption of Zoom came after an extensive review of various video-conferencing platforms. The decision follows a security breach in April during a classroom Zoom session, and an in-depth analysis of safety and security by district technology leaders.
The release said the team consisted of teacher technology leaders from each school building who spent several weeks piloting video-conferencing platforms. During the pilot phase, the leaders looked at security features, ease-of-use for students and teachers as well as other tools available for use on the platform. The team determined that Zoom remained the most effective platform for the district’s distance learning needs.
The release said the platform will be an optional tool for teachers to use, and students will not be required to participate. Parents will also be able to opt their student out of participation. Families are welcome to contact their student’s teacher with any questions they have about the distance learning process.