Universities' Student Monitoring: Comprehensive Tracking Or Privacy Invasion?

Universities and colleges are increasingly using technology to track students, from monitoring class attendance to collecting data on prospective students. This includes tracking systems that monitor academic performance, conduct, and mental health, as well as data collection on web-browsing habits, financial history, and other personal information. While this data collection aims to boost graduation rates and provide support, it raises concerns about student privacy and potential reinforcement of racial and socioeconomic inequities. The use of predictive analytics in higher education has become a lucrative business, with companies selling data mining and artificial intelligence services to institutions. As a result, students' phones and online activities are becoming surveillance tools, often without their explicit knowledge or consent.

Tracking attendance

There are several traditional and technological methods used for tracking attendance. Traditional methods include roll calls, where professors call out each student's name, and passing around a paper for students to sign or write their names. While these methods are easy to implement, they are time-consuming, especially for large classes, and unreliable as they can be prone to errors or falsification.

To address the limitations of traditional methods, universities have started adopting technological solutions. One such solution is the use of QR codes, where professors display a QR code that students scan to mark their attendance. However, this method also has reliability issues, as students can share QR codes with their peers, leading to inaccurate records. More advanced technologies like fingerprint scanners, facial recognition, and geofencing have also been implemented. While these methods offer improved reliability and efficiency, they often come with higher costs and data privacy concerns.

To balance effectiveness, cost, and reliability, many universities are turning to mobile apps, such as Attendance Radar, which utilise Bluetooth technology. With this approach, professors can scan for attendance, while students can mark themselves as present using their own devices. This method is more difficult to cheat compared to QR codes and provides a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for universities.

Monitoring academic performance

Data Collection and Analysis:

Universities often collect and analyze extensive data sets to monitor student performance. This includes information such as test scores, quiz scores, homework completion rates, reading hours, behaviour assessments, and pre-instruction knowledge assessments. By tracking these data points over time, universities can identify areas where students are excelling or struggling and make necessary adjustments to their teaching approaches.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

KPIs are valuable tools used by universities to assess their performance and determine if they are meeting their strategic goals. Examples of KPIs relevant to academic performance include graduation rates, student attendance rates, employment rates after graduation, and proficiency rates for each subject. By tracking these indicators, universities can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to enhance the overall educational experience.

Predictive Analytics:

Some universities utilise predictive analytics to identify students who may be at risk of struggling academically or dropping out. These tools analyse historical data to find trends and patterns, predicting future outcomes. For instance, by examining past student records, universities can determine which factors contribute to students' success or failure and provide support to at-risk individuals. However, this approach has raised concerns about privacy invasion and the potential reinforcement of racial and socioeconomic inequities.

Technology and Surveillance:

With the widespread use of smartphones and mobile applications, universities have started employing technology to monitor student attendance and movement on campus. For example, Bluetooth beacons installed in classrooms can track when a student enters or leaves, while Wi-Fi access points can trace their movements throughout the day. While this technology can be useful for monitoring attendance and identifying potential mental health issues, it has sparked debates about student privacy and the ethical implications of such surveillance.

Academic Advising:

Universities often provide academic advising services to support students in their academic journey. Advisors regularly meet with students to discuss their academic performance, offer guidance, and help them stay on track with their studies. They may also assist students in exploring alternative majors or career paths if they are struggling in their initial choice.

In conclusion, universities employ a range of strategies to monitor and support their students' academic performance. While these approaches can provide valuable insights and interventions, it is essential to balance data collection and student privacy to ensure a positive and equitable learning environment.

Analysing student conduct

Universities are increasingly using technology to monitor and analyse student conduct. This includes tracking students' locations and monitoring their online activity.

Location Tracking

Some universities use apps and Bluetooth beacons to track students' locations and monitor their attendance. For example, Syracuse University uses an app called SpotterEDU, which tracks students' attendance in lectures and logs their absences. The app also alerts professors when a student is absent, so they can follow up with them. Additionally, universities may use Wi-Fi access points to track students' movements on campus, collecting thousands of location data points every day.

Online Activity Tracking

Universities also track students' online activity, such as their website browsing habits, email open rates, and social media engagement. They may use tracking software and cookies to collect this data, which can help them monitor students' interest in their institution and their engagement with course materials. This data can be used to influence admissions decisions, with some universities giving students a "score" based on their online activity and predicted likelihood of enrolling.

Academic Performance and Advising

Universities also track students' academic performance and use predictive analytics to identify those who may be struggling or at risk of dropping out. For example, Georgia State University uses an analytics system that colour-codes students' risk of dropping out, with green, yellow, and red indicators. Advisors can use this information to provide support and guidance to students who may be struggling.

Mental Health

In some cases, universities may use location tracking data and academic performance data to assess students' mental health. By analysing patterns of behaviour and attendance, universities may be able to identify students who are going through a mental health crisis and offer them support.

While universities' use of technology to track and analyse student conduct can have benefits, such as improved graduation rates and targeted support, there are also concerns about privacy and potential invasions of students' personal lives.

Predicting graduation rates

One of the critical factors in predicting graduation rates is attendance. Universities often use technology to monitor student attendance, such as through Bluetooth beacons installed in classrooms that connect with students' smartphones. This data is then used to track attendance patterns and can be a predictor of graduation rates, as consistent attendance is linked to academic success.

Additionally, universities collect and analyse vast amounts of data on prospective and current students, including web-browsing habits, financial history, academic interests, and demographic information. This data is used to create predictive models that can estimate the likelihood of a student graduating. For example, factors such as desired major, distance from campus, income level, and consumer behaviour are used to assign a score to prospective students, indicating their likelihood of enrolling and graduating.

Furthermore, universities also track students' locations and movements on campus through their smartphones and Wi-Fi access points. While this technology is often used for attendance tracking, it can also provide insights into students' mental health and overall well-being. For instance, deviations from regular patterns, such as not leaving the dorms often or suddenly stopping library visits, could indicate that a student is going through a difficult time.

It is worth noting that the accuracy of these predictions and the ethical implications of such extensive student tracking have been questioned. Some experts argue that these systems may be prone to errors and may not capture the full context of a student's situation. Additionally, there are concerns about privacy and transparency, as many students may be unaware of the extent of surveillance and data collection occurring on campus.

Overall, predicting graduation rates involves a combination of data analysis, technological tracking, and pattern recognition. While universities strive to improve their predictions, it is essential to balance this with ethical considerations and respect for student privacy.

Assessing mental health

Recognizing the Need for Assessment

The mental health crisis on college campuses has reached unprecedented levels, with a significant number of students meeting the criteria for at least one mental health problem. The COVID-19 pandemic, social issues, academic pressures, and financial concerns are among the factors contributing to the rising mental health challenges faced by students. Universities play a vital role in addressing these issues and creating a supportive environment.

Strategies for Assessment

Universities can employ various strategies to assess and address mental health issues among their student body:

• Hire culturally competent mental health professionals: It is essential to have a diverse range of mental health professionals who can provide specialized support to students from different backgrounds, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. These professionals should be trained to address the unique challenges faced by these communities and create a safe and inclusive space for students to seek help.
• Provide training for faculty and staff: Faculty and staff members are often the first point of contact for students and can play a crucial role in identifying and supporting students struggling with mental health issues. Training them to recognize signs of mental health struggles and providing them with the necessary resources to refer students to appropriate mental health services on campus can be beneficial.
• Implement inclusive policies and support groups: Creating an inclusive and supportive campus environment is essential. Universities should implement anti-discrimination policies, provide gender-neutral bathrooms, and establish support groups to address the needs of marginalized student communities.
• Offer a range of mental health services: Universities should offer a holistic range of mental health services, including access to counselors, nutritionists, psychiatrists, and digital health care tools. Additionally, universities can partner with external organizations or insurance providers to enhance their mental health offerings and ensure that students have the support they need.
• Improve communication and implementation: Universities should focus on effectively communicating the mental health resources available to students. This can be achieved by training administrators, faculty, and staff to spread awareness of the existing programs and services. Furthermore, implementing these programs with a well-thought-out strategy and ensuring that they are easily accessible to students is crucial.

Benefits of Assessment

By assessing and addressing mental health issues, universities can create a healthier and more supportive environment for their students. This can lead to improved student retention, academic performance, and overall well-being. Additionally, early intervention and support can help prevent more severe mental health issues from developing and ensure that students receive the help they need to thrive in their academic and personal lives.

Frequently asked questions