Classroom tools like Random Name Picker, Group Maker, and Seating Chart rely on class rosters to organize learning activities. This guide explains how ClassHelper protects student privacy by minimizing data collection and keeping records on your device.

Why Initials and First Names Suffice

ClassHelper adheres strictly to data minimization principles established by FERPA and GDPR standards:

1. When creating a class roster, enter first names or initials only, such as Maya K., Liam, or Jordan T.
2. Check that student entries are unique within your class group so classroom selection tools function smoothly.
3. Never enter student identification numbers, home addresses, dates of birth, medical records, or grades. No ClassHelper tool requests or requires this data.

Minimal records prevent sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) from ever being entered into classroom displays.

Importing Rosters Efficiently

Importing student lists from your school district student information system (SIS) takes only seconds via copy and paste:

1. Highlight the student first name column in your grading spreadsheet and copy it to your clipboard.
2. In ClassHelper, create a new class and paste the list into the Names field.
3. If your clipboard selection contains multiple columns, choose the name column in the import preview.
4. ClassHelper automatically offers to convert full names into first names with last initials (for example, Theodore Miller becomes Theo M.).
5. Review the preview and save your roster.

At the end of the term, move rosters to the archive rather than deleting them so past seating arrangements remain accessible if needed.

Where Student Data is Stored

In the standard free version, all student rosters and lesson materials remain stored exclusively in your local browser memory on your personal or classroom device. No roster data is transmitted to or stored on external servers.

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When you upload custom photos to the whiteboard, images are processed and re-encoded locally in your browser, automatically stripping camera metadata and geolocation tags.

For complete compliance documentation, review our Privacy Policy and our guide on Server Locations.

Summary

Use first names or initials for random picks and seating charts. Rosters stay stored inside your browser, camera location tags are stripped automatically, and student data is never transferred to external servers.