> -----Original Message-----
> From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection
> issues [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Charles Christacopoulos
> Sent: 01 May 2003 16:28
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: DPA and VLEs
> Take 3.
> I disagreed with the idea of using system logs to "monitor" student
> performance. (Webcams next?) Perhaps, (correct me) if staff
> use logs to
> do monitoring there should be a relevant entry under the data
> classes of
> Education Purpose. Even so the real use of the data will not
> become clear
> from the notification form. Do we notify that we have exams
> and essays (they
> too monitor performance)? Hence I suggested they look at
> how a register
> works which would only go as far as using the logs to
> indicate "attendance" of
> the VLE.
>
> I made no attempt, and mske no apology for it, to create a
> correct notification
> entry to use system logs to monitor student performance. I
> don't believe in it, I
> would not help.
Having been asked on a couple of occasions about the use of system logs
to monitor *staff* performance, this brought back all sorts of
unpleasant memories.
I'd say we were firmly into territory covered by the OIC's code on
employee monitoring - as far as I know students are likely to be more
protected, if anything, by DPA and HRA, than employees. Since the OIC
hadn't condensed that document to less than 50 pages last time I looked
on their site, I offer my very brief synopsis:
* Do monitoring in the least intrusive way possible
* Notify users of what monitoring may be used for, and any terms of use
that will be policed using it
* authorise those who are doing it
* ensure and document that it is justified
* ensure loss of privacy is proportionate to risk
* protect data obtained through monitoring
I wouldn't have thought there was any proportionate requirement for
tutors to have access even to student log in and out times. If needed,
alerts about students who appear to be falling behind can be
automatically generated, so there's no need to scan everyone's data to
address that educational problem. And so on.
Andrew
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