What are the Challenges and Concerns in Implementation Big Data Analytics in 21st Century Education System?
Challenges and Concerns Big Data in Education:
Big data holds immense promise in education, its adoption is not without its share of challenges and concerns. We need to think seriously and concretely of its ethical and privacy concerns associated with collecting and using student data, as well as explore potential challenges in implementing big data analytics in educational institutions.
1. Ethical and Privacy Concerns:
a. Data Privacy: One of the primary concerns is data privacy. Educational institutions collect and store big amount of students’ data, however collecting and storing vast amounts of student data raises questions about who has access to this information and how it is protected. Certain places it is observed that unauthorized access or data breaches can compromise sensitive student information.
b. Informed Consent: There is often ambiguity regarding informed consent, especially when collecting data from minors. Students and parents may not fully understand how their data will be used, leading to ethical dilemmas.
c. Algorithmic Bias: The algorithms used in big data analytics can unintentionally perpetuate biases. For example, if historical data contains biases, the algorithms may make biased recommendations, affecting fairness and equity in education.
2. Implementation Challenges:
a. Infrastructure and Resources: Implementing big data analytics requires significant infrastructure and resources. Many educational institutions, especially smaller ones, may lack the necessary technology, skilled personnel, and budget.
b. Data Quality: Ensuring the quality of data is a persistent challenge. Generally, inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to flawed analyses and ineffective decision-making.
c. Resistance to Change: Resistance to adopting data-driven decision-making culture is common among educators and administrators. Traditional teaching methods may clash with data-driven approaches.
d. Security Measures: Safeguarding student data from cyber threats is a constant concern. Educational institutions must invest in strong cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information.
3. Educational Equity:
a. Access Disparities: Not all students have equal access to technology or the internet. Big data analytics may inadvertently exacerbate educational inequities if some students are left behind due to lack of access.
b. Privacy and Vulnerable Populations: Students with disabilities or other vulnerable populations may face unique privacy challenges. Collecting data about these students by the educational institutions must be done sensitively and ethically.
4. Regulatory Compliance:
a. Compliance with Laws: Navigating the complex landscape of data privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in the United States, Bharat Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and ‘Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Bill (POCSO), Bharat can be challenging for educational institutions.
5. Overemphasis on Data:
a. Reduced Focus on Holistic Education: Since we are handling human being, it has its own nature. There is a risk of overemphasizing data and standardized testing, which may narrow the educational experience and fail to capture the full spectrum of students’ abilities and potential.
In fact, big data analytics holds great potential to transform education, it must be approached with sensitivity to ethical and privacy concerns of different stakeholders. Our major challenging tasks i.e. overcoming implementation challenges, ensuring data quality, and addressing issues of equity and regulatory compliance are crucial for the responsible and effective use of big data in education. School administrator, institutional leaders and higher management need to think critically and creatively in balancing the benefits of data-driven decision-making with these concerns is essential for the continued advancement of education through big data analytics.
Grow Together Glow Together
Regards
Rajeev Ranjan
School Education
“Let knowledge grow from more to more.”
Alfred Tennyson, “In Memoriam”, Prologue, line 25
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