Data Mining: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks? (ISTE Standard 2c)

​

This essay addresses the many issues involved with student data mining and the analysis of that data. It begins with the idea that privacy is a thing of the past thanks to data mining, social media, and the shift of medical records from print to digital. Next, it explores the issue of data mining through the lens of parents that feel threatened because their students’ information is being shared without their knowledge. Then, it specifies some potential positive outcomes of data mining and analyzing, as well as, some of the negative outcomes other than privacy issues. Finally, it goes into the progression of how companies have been able to use data mining solely for their financial gain and why this can be done without parent consent. There can be information gathered through data mining that has the potential to have positive effects on teaching and learning. However, it is clear that there needs to be change and updated regulations when it comes to student data mining and the privacy of student information.