Cookie Policy

1. Introduction to Cookies and Similar Technologies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better educational experience by remembering your preferences, improving platform functionality, and enabling essential features.

Similar technologies include web beacons, pixels, local storage, session storage, and other tracking technologies that serve similar purposes in enhancing your learning experience on our platform. This Cookie Policy explains how PumpSimulation uses these technologies and your choices regarding their use.

By continuing to use our platform, you consent to our use of cookies and similar technologies as described in this policy, unless you have disabled them through your browser settings or our cookie preference center.

2. How and Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following educational and operational purposes:

• Essential Platform Function: Enable core platform features, user authentication, and security measures
• Educational Progress Tracking: Save your learning progress, simulation results, and course completion status
• Personalization: Remember your preferences, settings, and customized learning paths
• Performance Optimization: Analyze platform usage to improve educational effectiveness and user experience
• Security and Fraud Prevention: Protect against unauthorized access and maintain platform integrity
• Analytics and Research: Understand how our educational content is used to improve learning outcomes
• Technical Support: Diagnose technical issues and provide better customer support

Our use of cookies is designed to enhance your educational experience while respecting your privacy and maintaining compliance with applicable data protection laws.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the platform to function properly and cannot be disabled without severely affecting your ability to use our services:

• Authentication Cookies: Verify your identity and maintain your login session
• Security Cookies: Protect against cross-site request forgery and other security threats
• Load Balancing: Distribute server load to ensure optimal platform performance
• Session Management: Maintain your session state and prevent data loss
• Accessibility Features: Remember your accessibility preferences and settings

3.2 Educational Functionality Cookies

These cookies enhance your learning experience and educational progress tracking:

• Learning Progress: Track your completion of courses, modules, and assessments
• Simulation State: Preserve your simulation progress and virtual portfolio data
• Educational Preferences: Remember your learning preferences and customization settings
• Course Navigation: Maintain your position within educational content and modules
• Assessment Data: Store quiz results and learning analytics for progress tracking
• Bookmark and Notes: Save your bookmarks, notes, and personal learning annotations

3.3 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how our platform is used and how we can improve the educational experience:

• Usage Analytics: Collect information about which features and content are most valuable
• Educational Effectiveness: Measure learning outcomes and content engagement
• Platform Performance: Monitor loading times, errors, and technical performance
• User Journey Analysis: Understand how users navigate through educational content
• A/B Testing: Test different educational approaches to improve learning outcomes

3.4 Preference and Customization Cookies

These cookies remember your choices and preferences to provide a personalized experience:

• Language and Localization: Remember your preferred language and regional settings
• Display Preferences: Save your chosen themes, layouts, and visual preferences
• Notification Settings: Remember your communication and notification preferences
• Accessibility Options: Maintain your accessibility settings and accommodations
• Content Filters: Remember your content filtering and sorting preferences

4. Third-Party Cookies and Services

We may use trusted third-party services that set cookies on our platform to provide enhanced functionality and analytics. These third-party services include:

• Educational Analytics Providers: To measure learning effectiveness and platform usage patterns
• Content Delivery Networks (CDN): To optimize platform performance and reduce loading times
• Customer Support Tools: To provide efficient customer support and technical assistance
• Security Services: To protect against fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
• Video and Media Providers: To deliver educational video content and interactive media
• Survey and Feedback Tools: To collect user feedback and improve our services

These third parties have their own privacy policies and cookie practices, which we encourage you to review. We carefully select third-party partners who meet our standards for data protection and educational appropriateness.

5. Cookie Duration and Persistence

We use both session cookies and persistent cookies, each serving different purposes:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are automatically deleted when you close your browser. These are essential for maintaining your session and ensuring platform security.
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a specified period or until manually deleted. These cookies remember your preferences and learning progress across multiple sessions.

Most of our educational cookies are persistent to ensure continuity in your learning experience and to maintain your progress across multiple study sessions. The duration of persistent cookies varies based on their purpose, typically ranging from 30 days to 2 years.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

6.1 Browser-Based Cookie Controls

You can control cookies through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete existing cookies stored on your device
• Block all cookies (though this may significantly affect platform functionality)
• Block only third-party cookies while allowing first-party cookies
• Set preferences for specific websites and domains
• Receive notifications when cookies are being set

6.2 Platform Cookie Preference Center

We provide a comprehensive cookie preference center within our platform where you can:

• Enable or disable non-essential cookie categories
• Manage analytics and performance tracking preferences
• Control personalization and customization features
• Review detailed information about each cookie category
• Update your choices at any time through your account settings

7. Educational Data and Learning Analytics

We use cookies to collect educational analytics that help us understand and improve the learning experience. This data helps us:

• Optimize Learning Paths: Identify the most effective educational sequences and content organization
• Improve Content Quality: Understand which educational materials are most engaging and effective
• Personalize Learning: Adapt content and pacing to individual learning styles and progress
• Identify Learning Challenges: Recognize areas where students commonly struggle and need additional support
• Measure Educational Outcomes: Assess the effectiveness of our educational programs and simulations
• Enhance Platform Usability: Improve the user interface and navigation based on usage patterns

All educational analytics data is used solely for educational improvement purposes and is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable educational privacy laws.

8. International Cookie Compliance

Our cookie practices are designed to comply with international privacy and cookie laws, including:

• EU Cookie Directive (ePrivacy Directive): Obtaining appropriate consent for non-essential cookies
• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): Ensuring lawful basis for cookie-based data processing
• UK GDPR and PECR: Complying with UK-specific cookie and privacy requirements
• CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act): Respecting consumer privacy rights regarding tracking technologies

We regularly review and update our cookie practices to maintain compliance with evolving privacy regulations worldwide.

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any significant changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a revised "Last updated" date
• Sending email notifications to registered users for material changes
• Displaying prominent notices on our platform about policy updates
• Requesting renewed consent where required by applicable law
• Updating our cookie preference center to reflect new options or categories

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and similar technologies.

10. Contact Us About Cookies

If you have questions about our use of cookies, this Cookie Policy, or would like to exercise your rights regarding cookie-based data processing, please contact us:

Our privacy team is available to assist you with any cookie-related questions or concerns and will respond to your inquiries promptly and professionally.

11. Additional Resources and Information

For more information about cookies, privacy, and how to manage your online privacy, we recommend the following resources:

• All About Cookies: www.allaboutcookies.org - Comprehensive information about cookies and privacy
• ICO Cookie Guidance: ICO Cookie Information - UK Information Commissioner's Office guidance
• Your Browser Help: Consult your web browser's help documentation for specific instructions on managing cookies
• Privacy Settings: Review and adjust privacy settings on your devices and browsers regularly

We are committed to transparency and will continue to provide clear information about our cookie practices and your privacy choices.