It is well-known that universities are now able to benefit extensively from the collection of the increasing volumes of student information, for example, to better know the students and to enhance student success and academic performance (thus, reducing significantly the drop-out rates), by means of investing more and more in Big Data projects. BUT: What about the “privacy of personal information” and the way this information can and should be used for the betterment of the students?
To my point of view, we have toe look at four positions:
the direct consumer (Big Data analysis) of that data
the future student having a benefit from that analysis
the future student how needs to deliver "personal information"
other, thirds parties (such as state organisation, marketing,...)
For the data analyst, it may depend on your country; I do not know Peru´s laws. But assume, we need to work globally; thus there would be a need for balance between having access to (much) data and evaluating that data (for some purpose).
Thus, for that point, we would need a global agreement on the ethics of that process; as you can see from different spy activites published, these ethics are somewhat different; if I compare US law (having the easy way to get data from Facebook etc) against most European laws, we see a big gap. Thus, a kind if global discussion needs to start (which may last forever btw.)
There is another alternative: if I, as the future student, want to benefit from big data, it could be some option to deliver data before. This could imply an opt-in system, where I get some services only if I give needed information. To implement such a policy, it would be necessary to show, who will use that data, such as the mentioned third party. Can I be sure, that the data is not misued and given away to some third party?
I would think that universities that wish to amass this data are required to be approved by the Human Subjects Protection Committee of the university or funding agency. After all, that is standard for research on human subjects in the USA. Furthermore, notice should be in the student policy book that aggregate data collection takes place, even if it is approved for safety and anonymity.Provide a contact number for questions. What do you think of students opting out? Do you think that would be a limitation on the project as a whole?
What about the issues of procuring data from vulnerable populations in the student body e.g.Students with disabilities.
Mr Kuhn makes a point of opting-in compensation. However, that might muddy the waters more.
Thank you for your attention to my comments.
A couple of more comments for now...."knowing" students from hard data is just one part of the equation. There are so many variables in students. And it is hard to control for certain environmental, cultural and sociological events, such as economic recessions. How would you control for that? Would the validity of recommendations become obsolete over time, or do your instruments for changes in circumstances?
Finally what evaluation tools would you use in order to measure success/ vis a vis the objectives of the of the data collection?
Thank you for asking about what could support your study.
It sounds like it could make a meaningful contribution deciding on choices for student success.
Strongly agree to Janet.
Anonymity, privacy policy, and endorsement should be there. However, sometimes I feel that Big Data is such a hype word. I reckon that the data were there already for a long time, though maybe only a few cares about it.
Privacy and ethical issues aside, I would be interested to read any published research on whether (and how if the answer is positive) the collection of immense amounts of data actually improves the experience of the individual students who comprise the data set. I am also interested to read any published research as to how the collection of immense amounts of data from students actually aides student retention and success rather than just indicating whether students are staying or going.
Kevin, a related issue comes to mind, namely, the longitudinal study. If is fair to collect GBs of info on a person who will grace the campus of your university for four or five years, then move on? What is the long term effect of collecting information - some of it bound to be private and sensitive? It's a valid concern because trust, once broken, is difficult to mend.
Educause is a great study on big data and analytics
https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERS1207/ers1207.pdf
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