Unit 4 focused on our digital footprint and data security The idea that all of my information is collected by companies is not foreign to me. I will admit, however, that it is not a topic that I spend much of my time thinking about. It seems innocuous at times, I am just one person, what harm can my data do. Upon reflection this complacency is dangerous. In this digital age, information is power, a company knowing my shopping habits or listening into my daily conversations means that they are creating an image of who I am that they can then use or sell to the highest bidder. I remember reading in Calvo-Porral et al ( 2019), how millennials are the least concerned with their digital security when compared with older generations. It is an interesting dichotomy, for the generation who saw the most rapid advances in technology to be the most laissez-faire around their own well being. I did the exercise on limiting my google account while at my parents house. My mother then asked if I would lock hers down as well. She has always been more cautious around her digital information than I, yet she had no idea what access google had to her account. Our conversation after was very eye-opening. She has limited experience with digital technology, but wants her accounts locked down. I can breeze through figuring out a new technology relatively quickly, yet spend almost no time thinking about the long term ramifications.
My last post talked about the wonders of google classroom as a tool for digital learning. I had never thought about the pitfalls encouraging my students to use a free service at a young age. It makes me think about the ways that companies used to market to children, they would do just about anything to get a client base who started young. Customers would develop brand loyalty and stick with that company for life. Is this possibly an added bonus for Google? Or an intentional reason for the google classroom. They market a free software to schools and teachers ( who are always conscious of how much money is being spent), the children get used to using google software ( while Google collects some data) . Then by the time the children are adults, they are used to Google so they use it google already has a profile on them.
I don’t know how I feel about these issues going forward, I do know that I will be paying closer attention to the terms and services of any online app that I use, as well as being very careful with what I ask of my students.
This article raises some interesting points on the topic: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/spark/401-google-for-education-1.4694935/as-google-for-education-tools-enter-classrooms-across-canada-some-parents-are-asking-to-opt-out-1.4694939
References
Calvo-Porral,C., Pesqueira-Sanchez, R., & Faiña Medín, A., (2019) A Clustered-Based Categorization of Millennials in their Technology Behavior, International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 35:3, 231-239, DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2018.1451429
Dominique's Drivel 