We also talked today about the often hidden legalities that come with using various online platforms. As a researcher who has used Google Docs in more than one study and multiple times in classes, I feel like this is something we absolutely need to be conscious of: what exactly are we allowing companies to do with our information when we accept the terms and conditions? Granted, I don't feel particularly alarmed over the prospect of "Big Brother" knowing what I'm up to (it's really not that interesting), and I've never asked students to submit personally sensitive information via outside sources: in fact, all of my Google Doc surveys and projects have been completely anonymous. Still, I'm sure there are plenty of people/students out there with a much less nonchalant view of things, so it is good for us to be aware of how these things work and to ensure that we're not asking students to unintentionally reveal information they may wish to keep private. Does anyone have any other sorts of experience using non-GauchoSpace technological platforms/resources in class? What are your thoughts on protecting student privacy?
Hi, Kayla.
ReplyDeleteI like what you say here. I suspected and heard that such things are happening --- that that our information is, at least, "observable" on the web --- but I had not looked into or been lectured about the details until Wednesday's class. Friends and others sometimes mention (quite seriously) the "conspiracy" that is upon us that involves governmental tracking of our every movement and our every word... though what they say might contain some degree of truth, I personally shrug such statements off under the condition that I'm not particularly "important". Seriously... anyone business officials would (probably) be wasting their time looking at the details of my life. However, as you say, it is very important that we be aware of this possibility primarily so we do not, in any way, put others at risk.
I suppose the simple "solution" is this: instructor-student exchanges should not be mediated by any web resource (or possibly electronic resource, for that matter) if they contain possibly sensitive information.
In most cases, the worst that could happen (or, at least, the worst I can imagine) is that some marketing company gets some numbers that help them direct advertisements... is that all?
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteExactly: I'd always kind of chuckled at the idea of being so concerned about such "conspiracies", but as educators, we have to realize that others (who may know much more than we do about these sorts of things) might not be so quick to dismiss them. I agree: we definitely need to make sure that instructor-student exchanges take place in a medium in which possibly sensitive information is kept safe and confidential.
In terms of what else companies might use the information for, I'm really not sure. Like you said, advertisements come to mind, but offhand I can't think of what else they'd really do with it. Blackmail, perhaps? I'd imagine that'd be far more lucrative. ;)
Hi Kayla,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts. I also use Google Docs in my Writing 2 class and have never been all that concerned about the data, but as you and Ryan note it is something to at least be aware of.
I am not sure this is relevant to your field, but something that I was thinking about this week and would like to discuss in class is what about integrating platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or personal blogs and requiring students to post course related material? This was something I was interested in pursuing this quarter for future religious studies classes (I have seen others integrate these into their courses), but in light of this conversation I am rethinking these options. I would be interested in your thoughts.
Cheers,
Adam
Hi Adam,
DeleteIt's definitely relevant to my field: I like the idea of integrating blogs into upper-division or perhaps even second-year lower-division Spanish courses to help students reflect on the novels/other readings we cover in class, and depending on a few pending factors, I may see about getting them included in future courses. In the case of religious study classes, I would tentatively think that personal blogs (perhaps on GauchoSpace to ensure both student privacy and the fact that this would mean all of the blogs would be in one place, which undergrads especially will appreciate) might be the best option for in-depth reflection, but I can see Twitter being useful as well: since religion is something that people often have a lot to say about, using a platform that demands conciseness could be useful in helping people to articulate the heart of their opinions.
Best,
Kayla