ORBYS
The AI Traffic Light: Key Steps to Adopt Safe Technology in the Classroom
The AI Traffic Light: Does Your School Comply with the Law?
The AI Traffic Light: Does Your School Comply with the Law?
We know the temptation is strong. You discover a new Artificial Intelligence app that promises to save you hours planning lessons or grading exams, and you want to try it with your students the next day. It's a natural reaction, but in the educational environment, innovation can never precede legality.
Using any technology tool in the classroom is not a decision to be taken lightly. Behind every free app are terms and conditions that could compromise minors' privacy.
To ensure safe, ethical, and authorized use, at ORBYS we have defined the 4 key steps every school must check before giving the green light to new technology.
The 4 Steps to Legalize AI Use in Your Classroom
The 4 Steps to Legalize AI Use in Your Classroom
1. Always Check Official Catalogs
Any application you plan to use with your students must be previously audited and authorized on your autonomous community or ministry's official portals. A clear example is the Appsedu portal in the Valencian Community. Before using a tool, search its name and check its “traffic light” status:
| Traffic Light Color | Official Status | What it means for the teacher |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | Authorized | You can use it safely following the school’s regulations. |
| 🟡 Amber | Conditional | Requires certain requirements, like explicit parental consent. |
| 🔴 Red | Not Authorized | Its use is strictly prohibited in the school environment. |
2. Protect Your Students’ Digital Footprint
As a teacher or school administrator, you cannot require the use of unapproved tools. A common and serious mistake is asking students to create personal accounts (with their email addresses) on external AI services that lack the proper legal and privacy framework. If the tool is not official, it cannot be mandatory.
3. Manage Licenses at the School Level
Digital anarchy (each teacher buying or using apps independently) is a risk for the institution. Here’s another article about the real risks of using AI in education, because AI license purchases must be centralized and aligned with your community’s IT coordination catalog (for example, via DELEGATIC). This ensures that data processing contracts comply with the European GDPR.
4. Use AI as Your Personal Assistant (Zero Data Rule)
If a tool is not yet approved for students, it doesn’t mean you can’t use it! You are free to use AI authorized at a personal level to lighten your workload: generate project ideas, create assessment rubrics, structure lesson units, or adapt texts.
- The legal limit: You can use it as long as you do not enter any identifiable student data (names, records, family situations, or special educational needs).
Innovation Yes, But With Guarantees
Innovation Yes, But With Guarantees
At ORBYS we know that technology is the engine of the classroom of the future, but the body protecting passengers is data security. Don’t risk using opaque apps. If you want to be ready to work in a safe, digital, and education-adapted environment, we are here to help.