Blog Post 9 - Big Brother - The dilemma of large corporations and technology use in the classroom
One dilemma some of my colleagues and I have faced is the control large corporations have on a lot of classroom technology. I'm not talking about Evan-Moore or Scholastic. I'm talking Microsoft, Apple and, most notably, Google.
Each year students are required to get parental approval for the use of Google (each student has a district account) because it is a large US company, and 'stores data'. To be honest, I find this such a chore, and quite frustrating because we're assured that there's nothing sordid or dangerous... yet some inevitably panic and deny permission for their student to use google, or other programs like (eg) Epic!, Prodigy, etc., which require students to provide data like their name (they can use a nickname), grade, etc. Usually, parents are pacified when I explain the situation, though not always...
From a teaching perspective, this causes a significant speedbump, because students use Google for things as basic as word processing... But at the same time, I can understand families not wanting their children to be pawns or information providers for giant corporations like Google.
COVID forced me to jump into the google world, and I have to say, it's been awesome. In about 99% of cases, parents have come on board when they see what their children would be missing... we use Chromebooks, so without a google account and access, our 'laptops' are pretty much useless to students.
But the reports that come out periodically about Facebook, Google and other corporations mining data in order to further their business prospects and cause us to be even more inextricably clutched in their technology grasp hang at the back of my mind and conscience sometimes... Evidently I'm not alone as one recent poll found that 60 percent of teachers thing Big Tech has too much influence in k-12 schools (Klein, 2020). Andreas Ohler, a senior analyst for education technology at Futuresource Consulting, says that while the school market doesn't make big tech a lot of money now, “whe reason why they are still in this segment is they try to insert their influence as early on as possible,” Olah said. “They want to make sure their operating system, their whole ecosystem, gets really ingrained in students’ lives.”
In other words, Big Tech sees schools as a branding opportunity, planting seeds in our students, that will reap them dividends in the future. I guess kind of like how the tobacco giants used to attract kids with the Marlboro man or Joe Camel. Something about that makes me uncomfortable... but does it make me uncomfortable enough to break off my Google use...?
References:
Klein, A. (2021, September 15). What does big tech want from schools? (spoiler alert: It's not money). Education Week. Retrieved July 29, 2022, from https://www.edweek.org/technology/what-does-big-tech-want-from-schools-spoiler-alert-its-not-money/2020/01
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteYou wrote about a really interesting topic this week! My school actually ended up switching from Google to Microsoft for the very reasons that you stated. Apparently, Microsoft is supposed to be more secure for student use, but honestly who knows? It was difficult for me to switch from Google to Microsoft as all of my resources were in my Google Drive. I loved using Google, but I also discovered that Microsoft has some pretty cool functions also.
I agree that parents should have the right to choose what is best for their child. I think especially when you used the comparison to tobacco companies, that parents are worried about exactly this.
Thanks for the interesting read,
Megan
Hi Megan
DeleteYep, I struggle with the Microsoft vs. Google dilemma. Our school district doggedly sticks to Microsoft for all our staff-level activities - staff meetings, in-services, etc. I think it's due to district licensing, etc. However, Google tools really WAS a saviour during the COVID lockdown, and it's so intuitive that I lean toward it for sure.
I would be really frustrated if I had to move away from Google... but am I just a slave to corporate giants? Maybe... :o/
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteI have definitely had the exact same problem! I used Microsoft so that I don't need the special forms to be signed. It is interesting you note this idea of planting the seed young and getting students hooked on a certain platform. Although Microsoft offers the same cloud services and autosave features, students vastly prefer google docs. When I asked them why they were so resistant, they simple replied they were more familiar with google and did not want to make the change. I find marketing to children strange and unsettling, though as you have mentioned before, is the feeling strong enough to make me depart from use of technology?
Best,
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
DeleteIf I'm being honest, I'm not sure I feel strongly enough to make the chance. At least, in principle perhaps... but the truth is, not only am I accustomed to google, but it's just SO intuitive. The kids learn how to use it in a jiffy, it's conveniently linked to (eg) google images and YouTube, and in general, it's such a fabulous resource.
I guess I/we can comfort ourselves in the knowledge that in reality, the kids already use google so much outside of class in their personal lives, that really, at worst, perhaps we're feeding an existing addiction...? Although, when I type it, that doesn't sound very good at all!
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on an interesting topic! I think your perspective is valuable as someone who integrates Google software throughout your teaching practice.
I certainly think there's a back and forth that needs to be considered when utilizing technology operated by a Big Tech company such as Google. I think the comparison to Camel and the Marlboro man certainly makes sense. When making a decision on whether or not one should be using software that collects the data of students, I think teachers should ask themselves if they believe the benefits these programs provide students outweigh their loss of privacy. It's a difficult question to tackle, but it sounds like your students are getting the most out of their learning by using this technology in the classroom.
All the best,
- Jordan
Hi Jordan,
DeleteYep. I agree with your assessment. Of course, it's important to include parents in the conversation - even if it requires clarifying that sometimes 'providing personal information' means the students are just coming up with their own game name for Kahoot!
Thanks,
Dan
Hey Dan,
ReplyDeleteI found your post both interesting and insightful. I also use the Google platform and find it to be a wonderful tool to help students stay organized and develop their technological skills. I agree with your assessment that big tech companies have too much power and influence in education, but I would take this notion a step further and propose that big tech has way too much power over society as a whole. They essentially can and do track all individuals online at all times. A recent focus of one of my favourite shows, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, opened my eyes to the power of Data Broker companies. Essentially, every time we interact online we are being tracked and followed. Data Broker companies compile profiles on everyone who uses the internet. They then sell this information to advertisers, who send us targeted ads. This practice is unregulated and perfectly legal. To me this is quite terrifying, and we should develop legislation to put a stop to it. With that said, will it stop me from using the internet in schools? No, most likely not. It is too valuable a tool. I think it is important to teach students how to better understand their interactions online and how to deal with the advertising they encounter. Great work on the post Dan.
Link to John Oliver video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqn3gR1WTcA
Jonny
Hi Jonny,
DeleteScary :-( Sometimes ignorance is bliss, I guess. I really want to try to go Smartphone-less when my Master's is done in November, all being well. I have two teenagers, and have tried to delay their foray into the smartphone world. It doesn't take long for the phone to take over their lives when they do jump on the train though...
Thanks for the thoughts and video.
Dan
Dan,
ReplyDeleteI was glad to choose your blog to read for this module. I have not encountered a time when a parent refused to allow their child access to Epic!, Google, or Prodigy. I can absolutely imagine how frustrating that would be. It seems as though the fact that you are asking permission is what makes the parents overthink it. It’s great to hear that you are able to enlighten their parents and explain how their child would be missing out from using this tool. It is interesting to think about how these big corporations are doing everything they can to capture users at a young age. However, it seems like what they are doing is working, and that it’s not going to go away anytime soon. The school I just worked at had a 1:1 chromebook ratio and every student has a Google account. They are now used to using the tools on Google. To take the chromebooks away from them now would just be confusing for them! To them, it would be like taking a step back. So I don’t believe their use will decline any time soon. Thanks for sharing!
Giulia - Yes! Your comment that "asking permission is what makes the parents overthink it" is bang on! However, permission is required, so we have to send out the forms, knowing that they're going to cause headaches...
DeleteWow - 1:1 ratio is pretty amazing! We're getting close to that.
Thanks,
Dan