Duration: January 2022 until December 2022
To implement the ECJ ruling Schrems II, schools in Hesse will be required to use a DSGVO-compliant video conferencing software in the future. Such a software was integrated into the so-called Schulportal Hessen. For the schools in Hesse, this meant a change from established systems to new data protection-compliant VC software.
The ad hoc project accompanied the change at several schools and investigated which difficulties and also conflicts (“changing costs”) arose in the process. At the same time, support options were developed for institutions facing such a change. Methodically, the path of a “formative accompanying study” was chosen. In the first phase of the project, interviews were conducted with teachers at schools in Hesse. The interviews served to analyze how video conference systems are currently used at schools. In the second project phase, the interviews were analyzed to find out how teachers adopt new technologies and what challenges arise from switching to the privacy-compliant system.
The implementation of change projects or the introduction of new software is often already a difficult undertaking in companies. Schools perhaps present an even more challenging environment. Introducing video conferencing systems and switching to a privacy-compliant videoconferencing system has posed major challenges for schools in Hesse in recent years. In order to accompany the introduction process and to derive action recommendations action for a successful introduction, we have accompanied and surveyed Hessian schools. At several schools in the Kassel area, the difficulties and also conflicts (“conversion costs”) that arose in the process were investigated. At the same time, support options for institutions facing such a change were identified.
Einführung eines DSGVO-konformen Videokonferenzsystems in hessischen Schulen. Projektergebnisse des ZEVEDI Ad hoc-Vorhabens „Wechselkosten zum DSGVO-konformen VC-System des Schulportals Hessen
The interview study revealed three key principles that are important for technology adoption in schools: 1) organizational structures and work processes must be fostered so that staff are empowered and encouraged, 2) organizational action must be taken to create momentum so that adoption does not flatten out and resistance becomes reinforced, and 3) schools and teachers must be involved early so that they can participate and try out the technology, and feedback can be collected and implemented during adoption (in the spirit of iterative software development). The three principles are also evident in the identified seven phases of the deployment process developed.
The technical report developed during this project is intended to take this up and provide a recommended course of action for future projects of this kind.
DownloadProject responsibility
Prof. Dr. Jan Marco Leimeister, Universität Kassel | more information
Research assistant
Ernestine Dickhaut, M. Sc., Universität Kassel | more information
