Navigating the ethical and security challenges in student engagement and learning analytics
Millions of data points are created by university systems each day, demonstrating how their students are interacting with the institution. We are witnessing the rapid emergence of new and different ways of using and applying this data. As such, data ethics repeatedly emerges at the centre of many discussions and debates in higher education. Many institutions are applying policies to make sure privacy, security and transparency of student data remains at the highest quality and in-line with students’ expectations.
With StREAM, we strive for the highest level of data security and transparency to support these policies and endorse an ethical approach to using student engagement data.
Data transparency
As outlined in our piece on ThinkDigital ‘The Ethics behind data in higher education’, utilising student engagement data to drive meaningful conversations that shift towards positive outcomes and are focused on helping students reach their full learning potential has a greater impact and response from students. To achieve this constructively, it is essential that students are reassured and aware of how and why their data is used – universities need to be transparent in their use of data.
Here at Kortext, we endorse this transparent approach as a more ethical means of using student data. This is a view supported by the sector, as outlined in our joint research carried out in partnership with HEPI and Kortext that questioned which digital learning resources students should be provided with by their university. In second place was dashboards which can display their interactions with digital resources, like those provided in StREAM.
46% of respondents answered that their institutions already provided this and 44% felt that universities should provide it.
Using data within analytics platforms transparently – where the data is visible to both tutors and students – allows meaningful, data-informed conversations to easily happen as students feel more compelled to understand their own learning journey and have greater trust that their universities are using their data to support them to achieve their full potential.
Our shared approach ensures data is used in the most meaningful way and put in the hands of those who need it most to provide a better quality of support to students.
The ‘do’ not the ‘who’
When it comes to student engagement analytics, we believe that it’s crucial to prioritise what students do, rather than solely focusing on who they are (i.e. looking at their background). This approach centres on their actions, behaviours, and engagement with educationally purposeful activity, which are dynamic and can be influenced by various interventions. By focusing on these aspects, educators can tailor support and resources to enhance student learning outcomes effectively.
Demographic factors such as whether a student is, for example, the first-in-family to go to university, or a care leaver are static and beyond a student’s control. While these factors can provide useful context, they should not dictate the opportunities or support a student receives. Emphasising actions over demographics ensures that all students are evaluated based on their efforts and progress, fostering a more equitable learning environment.
This focus aligns with ethical data practices by respecting student privacy and reducing the risk of bias. It encourages a growth mindset, where students are seen as capable of improvement and success through their actions, rather than being limited by unchangeable characteristics – which benefits both the student and staff community.
Data security
Both students and universities also need to trust that their data will be secure whilst it is used to enhance their learning experience. It is expected that each institution will have robust policies to protect their data, in-line with legislation under GDPR and the Data Protection Act.
With StREAM being pivotal to this mission, we ensure that we have the highest level of data security within our systems and are proud that StREAM (Solutionpath Ltd) is ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certified, meaning that we meet internationally recognised standards for managing information security and quality. As part of this, we have comprehensive security controls to protect data and information, continuous improvement to regularly ensure protection is up to date to make sure our StREAM community is always kept safe and secure.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, data ethics and security in higher education are ever more significant. As institutions increasingly rely on data to enhance learning experiences, streamline operations, and drive research, they must also prioritise the ethical handling and protection of this information. By adopting robust data security measures and fostering a culture of ethical data use, we support higher education institutions to safeguard sensitive information, maintain trust with students, and comply with regulatory requirements.
These principles are at the heart of StREAM.
Want to learn more about the StREAM student engagement analytics platform and how it could support your institutional needs?
