Dive Brief:

• Periscope, a free iOS and Android app created two years ago that allows users to host a live-stream from their mobile devices that can also be broadcast to Twitter followers, is gaining traction in some education circles.
• EdSurge reports that potential classroom uses for the app include connecting students to other people and places worldwide, and facilitating live tutoring, office hours, school wide tours, and professional learning networks.
• As is the case with anything involving video in the classroom, however, privacy issues are also coming into play with educational uses as relates to both Periscope and Twitter.

Dive Insight:

With great power comes great privacy concerns, it seems. At the forefront is the fact that, once broadcast to Twitter, any user can view the stream — and there's no way to turn off commenting to prevent inappropriateness. Furthermore, Twitter's privacy policy mandates that users be at least 13 years old, raising questions around Periscope's potential use in elementary and middle school classrooms. Let's not forget, either, that the use of video recording equipment in classrooms also typically requires schools to obtain parental consent.

Should those issues be ironed out however, the suggested educational uses for Periscope do seem beneficial for both teachers and students. Having a teacher or "designated homework helper" available to assist with problems or review sessions, or making it possible for schools to demonstrate "best practices" to one another, is certainly compelling.