Trust-Related Privacy Factors in E-Learning Environments

• Published in: Distance learning (Greenwich, Conn.) Conn.), 2017-12, Vol.14 (4), p.49-54
• Main Author: Stephan, Susan H
• Format: Magazinearticle
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Computer privacy; Course Content; Distance learning; Educational Environment; Educational technology; Online Courses; Online education; Online instruction; Privacy; Privacy Act 1974-US; Privacy issue; School environment; Student Records; Study and teaching; Technology in education
• ISSN: 1547-4712

According to Anwar and Greer (2012), "Privacy and trust are equally desirable in a learning environment. To the extent that an online learner is situated similarly to an online consumer of noneducational goods or services, the value of an online student's mined data can be just as high. [...]concerns with privacy and student data security are real. In the United States, a public interest in educational privacy is reflected by several laws that aim to protect student privacy, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008), as well as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (1998) as it relates to collecting personal information from persons under the age of 13, and of course broader privacy regulation including the Privacy Act of 1974; the proposed Consumer Privacy Protection Act (2015); recent state legislation in Illinois (the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act); Texas (the Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier), aimed specifically at the use of biometrics in online settings; Washington's biometric identifier law which became effective on July 23, 2017; and California's Student Online Personal Information Protection Act, which went into effect in January of 2016 and addresses personal information on websites, applications and online services that focus on K-12 students. [...]Diaz (2010) suggested that to foster trust when using a publically available facilitating technology or service pro- vider, an instructor should include a statement in the course syllabus that confirms that the student consents to the use of specific collaborative tools that are open to the public and that the contributions to the tool might be part of the student's educational record that will be disclosed.