Janice Lozano
Universities and colleges are increasingly using technology to track their students' data, from web browsing history to attendance records. This data is used to improve student retention and graduation rates, but it has also raised concerns about privacy and the potential for errors in the data. While some students are aware of this surveillance and choose not to be tracked, others are unaware of the extent of data collection and how it is used. This has led to discussions about the ethical boundaries of data collection and the responsibility of institutions to inform students about their privacy practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of technology | Bluetooth beacons, online surveillance, web tracking software, data analytics |
| Methods | Tracking attendance, monitoring online activity, collecting student data, predicting trends, ranking prospective students |
| Stakeholders | Institutional research, student affairs, information technology, vendors, consultants |
| Purpose | Boost graduation rates, improve retention, increase revenue, address debt issues, improve student success |
| Privacy | Privacy policies, student consent, federal student privacy laws, FERPA, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act |
| Student awareness | Varying levels of awareness, some students are concerned about privacy |
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What You'll Learn
Tracking attendance and improving graduation rates
Colleges and universities are increasingly using technology to track students' attendance and improve graduation rates. This includes collecting data through students' smartphones, such as via Bluetooth beacons installed in classrooms that can log attendance, punctuality, and duration of stay. While some students are aware of this surveillance through social media or friends, others unknowingly consent to it when accepting privacy policies on their phones.
The use of such technology is widespread, from large state universities to small private colleges. By collecting and analyzing data, institutions aim to gain insights into student behavior and improve decision-making. However, AI experts and privacy advocates caution that these systems may be error-prone and fail to capture the context behind student actions, potentially putting students in unfair situations.
To address these challenges, collaboration across institutional research, student affairs, and information technology is necessary. Standardizing data sources and ensuring compatibility with popular APIs can also help improve data accuracy and interoperability.
While technology plays a significant role in tracking attendance, it is essential to consider the broader context of student success. Teacher effectiveness, for example, is a critical school-related determinant of student achievement. Additionally, raising retention rates, accommodating diverse student bodies, and focusing on overall student well-being can contribute to improving graduation rates.
In conclusion, while technology provides valuable data insights, a holistic approach that considers multiple factors and involves collaboration across stakeholders is key to effectively tracking attendance and improving graduation rates in universities.
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Monitoring internet usage
Students are often required to log in to the university's Wi-Fi network using their personal credentials. This means that their internet usage can be monitored and traced back to them. Universities can monitor the websites visited by students and any data transmitted over the university network.
Some universities may use enterprise equipment such as Cisco PIX firewalls, which have deep packet inspection capabilities. This technology allows universities to inspect the type of data being sent over their network. While universities have the technical capability to monitor student internet usage, it is important to note that they may not actively review the content of students' online activities. In most cases, universities are more concerned with maintaining network stability and bandwidth management.
It is worth mentioning that universities typically do not have the right to monitor the online activities of students outside of their network, such as when students are using their personal devices and connections. However, if a student uses a university-issued device, even outside of the campus network, the university may have the ability to track their internet usage.
To protect their privacy, students can use encrypted connections, such as HTTPS, when browsing the internet. This prevents other Wi-Fi users from decrypting their data. Additionally, students should be aware of the terms of service and acceptable use policies when using the university network. Any violation of these policies may result in internal disciplinary actions.
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Surveillance via smartphone
Universities are increasingly turning to smartphone surveillance to monitor students' academic performance, attendance, and behaviour. This technology relies on Bluetooth beacons, wireless access points, and campus Wi-Fi networks to track students' locations and movements, both inside classrooms and across the wider campus.
One example of this is the SpotterEDU app, used by Syracuse University and dozens of other schools in the United States. When students enter a classroom, small Bluetooth beacons hidden in the lecture hall connect with an app on their smartphones, logging their attendance and sending alerts to professors if they are absent or late. This data is then used to track attendance patterns over time, which can impact students' grades.
While some universities require students to download an app onto their smartphones, others may require students to purchase a university-approved smartphone model with specialised tracking software. In either case, students may not be fully aware of the extent of the surveillance or how their data is being used.
This practice has sparked concerns about privacy and the potential for over-intrusive technology to infantilize students, undermining their independence and normalizing constant surveillance. Critics argue that the collection of such detailed data may not accurately reflect student behaviour or success and could be used to justify administrative decisions or target specific student populations.
However, supporters of these systems argue that they can improve student attendance and academic performance, providing benefits that outweigh the potential drawbacks.
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Student data and success tools
Universities and colleges are increasingly turning to technology and data analytics to track student attendance, performance, and success. This includes the use of Bluetooth beacons installed in classrooms to log attendance, late arrivals, and early departures. Smartphone apps and online privacy policies also allow institutions to collect vast amounts of data on their students.
While this data collection may be done with the intention of improving student outcomes and raising retention rates, it has sparked concerns about student privacy. Many students are unaware of the extent of surveillance and data collection, and some universities have been criticized for not adequately disclosing their data practices.
To address these concerns, institutions should work towards standardizing sources of student data and success tools. This includes collaborating across different departments, such as institutional research, student affairs, and information technology, to ensure that student success is a collective effort.
Additionally, universities should be transparent about their data practices and obtain informed consent from students. This means clearly explaining the purpose and extent of data collection in privacy policies and providing students with choices and alternatives if they do not wish to be tracked.
By balancing the benefits of data analytics with the need for student privacy, universities can leverage student data and success tools effectively and ethically.
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Student privacy
Universities and colleges are increasingly using technology to track their students. This includes collecting data on students' attendance, as well as their movements around campus. For example, Bluetooth beacons installed in classrooms can log whether a student has attended class, whether they arrived late, or whether they left in the middle of the class. This data is then sent back to the college.
However, the use of such technology has raised concerns about student privacy. While some students are aware and concerned about the privacy implications, others are largely unaware of the level of surveillance taking place. According to a 2015 Gallup poll, 44% of millennials believed their personal information was kept private "some of the time", while 26% believed it was kept private "little" or "none of the time". A later Gallup poll, in 2018, found that 39% of respondents aged 18 to 49 were "very concerned" about invasions of privacy when using Facebook, a 7% increase from a similar poll in 2011. This indicates students' growing awareness and distrust of entities that possess their data.
In the United States, the Department of Education is committed to protecting student privacy and enforces student privacy laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). FERPA protects student privacy by limiting who can access student records and requiring anyone who does so to specify the purpose for accessing the data. PPRA, meanwhile, requires parental approval for the administration of certain data-collection tools.
Despite these laws, data breaches can still occur. In 2019, a company that creates educational software experienced a data breach that affected more than 13,000 school and university accounts, some with thousands of students each. This incident highlights the need for educational institutions to ensure that their payment processing systems and databases properly protect students' private information.
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Frequently asked questions
Universities use technology to track students in various ways, from monitoring their attendance in classrooms to tracking their web browsing history and internet usage. Some universities use Bluetooth beacons installed in classrooms to log attendance, while others use web tracking software to collect student data.
Universities track students to boost graduation rates and improve student retention. By collecting and analyzing student data, universities can identify trends and patterns to predict and influence student behavior, such as encouraging students to change their majors. This helps keep students enrolled and collecting tuition dollars, especially at less selective schools.
Student tracking has raised concerns among students and privacy experts. Many students are unaware of the extent of surveillance on college campuses, and universities often do not disclose the full purpose of their tracking. While federal student privacy laws aim to safeguard grades and personal information, there are concerns about potential conflicts of interest and violations of privacy laws.
