Category: Technology

Could meaningful use be applied to FERPA?

One of the ongoing struggles of the educational technologist is dealing with FERPA law and instructor/student expectations.  Frequently an instructor will want to use a tool (hosted on campus or elsewhere) and want students to have access to the tool via automatic rostering.  Registrars can sometimes be hesitant to share this data.

The health sector is actually working on this problem. In an interesting post about the concept of “meaningful use” the author shows how restrictions on data might be loosened a bit to the benefit of everyone involved(Analysis: A defining moment for “meaningful use” – O’Reilly Radar). One example:

Another important relaxation is in the area of e-prescribing. This is the ability to electronically send an accurate and understandable prescription directly to a pharmacy.

By focusing on exactly how information might be used by stakeholders, rather than enforcing blanket restrictions, there may be some real gains in the quality of patient care. I think a similar concept for FERPA might have similar benefit.

Online-driven evolution of social mores

On Facebook, Google, and Our Evolving Social Mores Online – John Battelle’s Searchblog.

This is along the same lines of my previous post about the Tweeting CNN editor, but zooms out for a much broader view of the impact of online social networks on our moral frameworks. I have to dig deeper on this one, so I can’t comment here, but hopefully someone finds it interesting.

Privacy and user trust – iPhone edition

I’ll admit to having let my guard down a bit on the privacy front.  While I was initially concerned by things like the indexing of Gmail e-mails and putting personal information like my schedule on the web, I’ve since seen that it has some value.  Yet, cases like Facebook’s privacy control changes and Apple’s collection of GPS data send me back to skepticism.  Why?  Because the changes have been made without the consent of users–or more importantly, before the company has earned the trust of their users.

Apple has recently replied to a congressional question about the GPS data collection:

In a 13-page reply to questions posed by Representative Ed Markey from Massachusetts and Congressman Joe Barton from Texas, Apple said it collects GPS data daily from iPhones running OS 3.2 or iOS 4. The phones collect the GPS data and encrypt it before sending it back to Apple every 12 hours via Wi-Fi. Attached to the GPS data is a random identification number generated by the phone every 24 hours. The information is not associated with a particular customer, Apple said. (via Apple lays out location collection policies | ITworld.)

I find Apple’s explanation unconvincing.  While the data may be collected in aggregate, there is no way for the customer to opt out. iPhone owners are under contract with AT&T that imposes a heavy termination fee.  iPhone owners using older versions of iOS are forced to upgrade their phones to the latest version if they ever need to restore their phone or bring it the store. Thus, Apple has used their position to gather this valulable data on the millions of iPhone owners without their consent or the ability to opt out.

According to the article congressman Markey was pleased with the response, while congressman Barton was less than convinced.  I hope they continue to press Apple on this important issue.

Time online

New York Times: Online, We Pay With Our Time Spent Searching
http://nyti.ms/bhjzFr

Here’s an insightful article from the Times about the value of our time online. It resonated with me on two levels. First, since I’m toying with the idea of cutting cable, the cost/benefit calculation of spending time finding television instead of having it delivered to me (by broadcast or DVR) is fresh on my mind. I think that whatever company can Tivo-ize net video will score a major win.
Second, while the article didn’t address the monetary value of our time online (in terms of ad views), recognizing the personal time commitment is a worthwhile reflection.

“Even if you don’t pay for TV shows, they aren’t exactly gratis: you can spend 5 to 10 minutes searching, on sites like Hulu.com or Clicker.com.”

(mobile post)