Ep 293 - Big Brother Is Watching with Nolan Higdon
Sep 7, 2024
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Nolan Higdon, an author and media literacy expert, shares insights on surveillance in education and the alarming consequences of data commodification. He discusses how changes to FERPA laws have enabled tech companies to exploit student data and eroded individual privacy rights. The conversation explores the ethical dilemmas of AI in schools and the broader implications of surveillance capitalism on democracy and inequality. Higdon emphasizes the importance of community awareness and engagement in defending privacy rights within educational settings.
Surveillance capitalism in education monetizes personal data collection, compromising student privacy under the guise of safety and improvement.
The modification of FERPA laws has enabled private companies to exploit student data, raising concerns about constitutional rights and data misuse.
The rise of AI in educational settings creates superficial learning experiences while fostering an environment of self-censorship among students.
Deep dives
Surveillance Capitalism and Education
Surveillance capitalism has fundamentally altered the landscape of education by monetizing the collection and analysis of personal data. Companies have strategically positioned themselves in classrooms, often providing free technology and tools that allow them to access a wealth of student data, sometimes under the guise of improving education or safety. The introduction of the modified FERPA law in 2012 further enabled these companies by allowing them to share private student information with supposed educational partners, creating a vast and lucrative market for educational technology. As these trends have unfolded, students and teachers have often remained unaware, sacrificing their privacy for the convenience and perceived benefits of modern technology.
The Erosion of Privacy Rights
Students and educators generally enjoy certain privacy rights, such as those protected by FERPA, yet these protections are frequently circumvented by private companies. The distinction becomes particularly crucial when the government collaborates with these companies to gather data, effectively sidestepping constitutional rights against unreasonable search and seizure. This situation creates an environment where personal data can be exploited or misused without consent, leading to significant implications for marginalized communities. As the surveillance culture grows, the urgency to re-examine and protect privacy rights in educational settings becomes increasingly critical.
Market Forces and the Education System
The shift towards market-driven education has raised new challenges, as educational outcomes become secondary to profit motives. Companies are incentivized to sell tools that promise improvements in education, yet many of these tools do not deliver measurable results and can even exacerbate inequities. Studies show that these ed-tech products tend to reinforce racial biases, harming students of color while failing to meet their needs. Consequently, the education system faces a dilemma where the primary focus on profit puts the quality of education and student well-being at risk.
Impact of AI and Surveillance on Learning
The rise of AI technology in educational settings raises serious concerns about its implications for teaching and learning processes. While AI holds potential benefits for efficiency, it often leads to a superficial understanding of topics, with students relying on automated tools for completing assignments instead of engaging deeply with the material. Moreover, the invasive use of monitoring systems creates an environment where students self-censor, stifling their willingness to share diverse perspectives or take intellectual risks. The combination of high surveillance and AI-driven analysis complicates the educator's role, making it harder to foster an open and dynamic learning environment.
Protecting the Future of Education
The growing surveillance culture highlights the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the future of education and protect the rights of students and teachers alike. By fostering awareness of these issues and advocating for privacy and transparency, communities can work towards developing equitable solutions that prioritize the well-being of all individuals in educational settings. Engaging in discussions around these matters, from local schools to broader policy decisions, is essential for constructing a more just educational framework. As history has shown, informed and unified voices can significantly challenge oppressive systems, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to reclaiming democratic values in education.
Steve’s guest is Nolan Higdon, an author and expert in media literacy. They discuss surveillance in education, which Higdon covers in his book, co-authored with Allison Butler, Surveillance Education: Navigating the Conspicuous Absence of Privacy in Schools.
Surveillance capitalism, which emerged in the late 20th century, profits from datamining, largely without public awareness. Nolan emphasizes the increased intrusion into schools, particularly following changes to FERPA laws in 2012 allowing private tech companies to collect and use student data. The discussion highlights the false sense of security offered by the surveillance tools as well as the biases ingrained in AI used in education.
The topic takes on special significance when considered along with the broader implications for society, including the erosion of democracy and the intensification of neoliberal ideology that prioritizes profit over public welfare.
