Preserving Privacy and Reconceptualising Sharing in Active Learning Spaces

Maguire, J. (2017) Preserving Privacy and Reconceptualising Sharing in Active Learning Spaces. Higher Education Academy Annual Conference 2017, Manchester, UK, 03-06 Jul 2017.

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Abstract

Active Learning Spaces present opportunities and challenges for learning in higher education. The reconfigurable spaces with particular focus on technology, empower students in participative learning. The opportunity for students is to use their own, familiar and friendly devices to create and share content with peers. They do not need to learn a new tool and instead can focus on the task at hand. The challenge for educators is to recognise that such devices are not just generic pieces of plastic, but rather, highly personal devices. They are more than just a familiar tool. Smartphones share more similarities with a personal diary than a traditional desktop, they are pocket computers that contain countless conversations, notes and photographs. The concern is that students may share more than they would like with the rest of the class. Smartphone sharing in an active learning space is little more than pushing pixels from a single small screen to several larger ones. It is an all or nothing experience. The potential result is that a student’s shared creation could be interrupted with a message from mum, balance notification from their bank or an invite to play a game. The brief experience not only serves to embarrass the student, but dissuade others from sharing in class. Practically preserving the privacy of computing science students in active spaces has prompted my own thoughts on the challenges of sharing. These problems will be faced by students in varied domains as such spaces become prevalent. However, the solution should not been seen through a technical lens, but rather as an opportunity to reconsider the requirements of sharing and what it actually means in active learning spaces. The talk will consider solutions to preserving privacy as well as privacy challenges of in higher education before attempting to reconceptualising sharing for active learning. The aspiration is that reconsidering sharing might not only spare the blushes of students it could also produce stronger outcomes from active spaces.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Maguire, Dr Joseph
Authors: Maguire, J.
Subjects:L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Q Science > Q Science (General)
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Author
Publisher Policy:Reproduced with the permission of the Author
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