Who is watching you?

Educational Technology took a huge blow recently. A lot of fear is running through schools that have a 1:1 program
.

Blake J Robbins v Lower Merion School District (PA) et al, the laptops issued to high-school students in the well-heeled Philly suburb have webcams that can be covertly activated by the schools' administrators, who have used this facility to spy on students and even their families.

According to the case, a student was disciplined for actions he took at home. The proof was in the photo that was taken from their school issued laptop. I have seen how this works. I even can see what my students do on the classroom computers and the computer lab computers. I could take a picture of what they are doing (we don't have webcams on any of these computers). I can freeze a student out or control their computer. I even can lock them, which is cool, because it puts a huge lock on the screen. I have not tested this yet to see if I could monitor a computer that is not on our network but with the software and access codes downloaded.

Right or Wrong, you need to be careful. Does the school have a right to know what is being done with their equipment, yes. Can they invade private areas or when a student think it is a private place, NO!

There is always the argument if you have nothing to hide. But I think everyone should have their own space, even if it is online. A place to keep all of their thoughts or poems or other writings. As we know the sad truth, online is hard to keep it private.

Many of my students in my school, have Facebook pages, Myspace pages, and even Youtube pages. Occasionally I see what they are doing (I even have a few see what I am doing). Usually the biggest offense is curse words. In these cases I chat with the student and remind them we need to be careful what we say or show online. I also praise them when I see something good, as I did with a student who created a stop motion video all on her own.

On a few times, I have seen indication of more drastic issues, drinking, drugs, and cutting. In these cases it is time for phone calls. I have had students confide in me also about issues they are going through. I use these times to teach and more importantly to listen. Do my students know I am checking up on them. Yes! Am I doing it behind their closed doors and hacking into their computers, No.

As a Christian, we need to remember who is always watching and that we should do things for the Glory of Him.

So where will this event take us? Will we see the end of 1:1? Or will we see better explanations and Policies? A few tech people who are 1:1 are appalled by the invasion that has taken place in this case. Where do you stand? What would you do if it was your child?