Legal & Ethical Issues in Learning Analytics

 

When learning analytics educators need to be aware of the legal and ethical considerations to ensure they are protecting students rights, well-being, and privacy. 

There are 7 main concerns that educators should ethical be aware of with learning analytics:

1. Data Access - Who can view the data that is being collected? There needs to be security measures put in place by the school to ensure that personal identifiable information is not being seen by unauthorized viewers. The school should set up a list of individuals that are authorized to see specific information that is disclosed. The schools needs to be sure they are following all legality of protecting the students data. 

2. Transparency - Schools should be open and honest about how they employ learning analytics and the student improvement outcome of collecting the data. They should give explanations of how the data is collected, analyzed, used. Transparency will foster a culture of trust between the school, parents, and students. 

3.  Consent - There should be some form of written consent when collecting information, and individuals should have an option of opting out of giving specific information they do not feel comfortable with. If students are not able to opt out due to legal reasons, explain that to them. 

4. Location & Security - Where will the information be stored? When schools are determining the location of the data that is collected, they must all ensure there is encryptions set up to prevent anyone from getting access to the location. 

5. Data Ownership - Schools must determine how the data is to be used and when the information will be deleted to guarantee students' rights are upheld. Schools must also clarify who owns the information that is gathered. 

6. Misinterpretation - Learning analytics can lead to inaccurate conclusions, unfair treatment, or unintended consequences by educators. Schools should ensure that they are collecting data for the success of each of their students and not use it in a negative way. 

7. Obligation to Act - Schools should set stipulations on what analytics must be acted upon and what should not. 

Collecting data from the students can help schools identify specific patterns within the data and allow the teacher to provide support where it is needed. It is important that educators are not making biased decisions or allowing personal information to be leaked.