Cameras in classrooms are becoming more common. Often two cameras are used, one in the back to show the teacher and one in the front to show the students. One of the primary rationales behind this use is safety concerns due to numerous school shootings. Monitoring student behavior is another reason for their use.
There are other potential uses. For teacher evaluation, rather than disrupting a class with a personal visit an evaluator could observe the camera feed. Students of teacher education could observe a number of teachers more conveniently with the camera feeds.
What are other positive uses? What are the negatives?
Very good point, Bonnie. Michael, that's a practical and viable use for cams in class. Zainab, you're right--and definitely among teachers, not perhaps. My wife just mentioned today that her new building (secondary school) is littered with cameras everywhere and she doesn't like the feeling of constant observation. And that's not due to "youthful jitters" since she's a top-rated teacher with 25 years experience. Her comments are the reason I asked the question on RG.
I do think that in some ways, this could be useful, as the ones you have suggested. However, there is a huge security risk involved as well. Most schools do not have the money to buy the type of system it would require to ensure that no one could hack into the system. Imagine what kind of chaos and danger could ensue if a classroom camera were hacked into by the wrong people. A closed circuit camera in hallways is a good idea for security reasons. Inside classrooms, I'm not so sure. Personally, I would prefer to be observed on a personal level, where I know my students and I are safe.
Cameras in the classroom can be used to record lectures for future use. This enables teachers to upload lectures so students can re-watch or watch what they missed. It also enables teachers to consider flipping classes in the future or perhaps moving to an online format.
Very good point, Bonnie. Michael, that's a practical and viable use for cams in class. Zainab, you're right--and definitely among teachers, not perhaps. My wife just mentioned today that her new building (secondary school) is littered with cameras everywhere and she doesn't like the feeling of constant observation. And that's not due to "youthful jitters" since she's a top-rated teacher with 25 years experience. Her comments are the reason I asked the question on RG.
Zainab, your points are well taken and illustrate the problems we have when we devise solutions to issues. I'm much in favor of cams in the classroom to encourage poor teachers to do a better job (as well as providing mentors/principals the means to make non-intrusive observations to help the teacher). But, as is so often the case and as you point out, there will be unintended consequences: focusing attention on the camera rather than class presentation (diminishing effectiveness), stress, nerves, even anger (also diminishing effectiveness).
My wife is cool, calm, and collected in any situation including personal or camera observation. Her complaint is that the cameras are everywhere and the observation is constant; there's not a moment of privacy--to be blunt, to adjust a bra or other clothing, to scratch a personal body part, etc. Another point she makes is that while teachers have no privacy, the observers have anonymity. She doesn't like the idea of not knowing who's watching, when, and why.
My "feeling" (no research to confirm this) is merely an opinion. I would favor using cameras in spite of the issues against because teachers are a resilient lot and in time they will pay little attention to the cameras and just do their jobs.
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