Monitoring Applications Used in K–12 During the Pandemic: Safety Through Datafication (Poster 39): Division C - Section 3b: Technology-Based Environments, 3:45 PM

• In Event: e-Lightening Ed-Talk Session 19

Abstract

Since the Pandemic, education has become increasingly online and digital, leading to new opportunities for gathering data and monitoring digital classrooms. This multi methods study sought to understand the claims and impact of monitoring applications (MAs), platforms which surveil and datafy students in the interest of safety and security. First, websites of selected MAs were surveyed to identify their ethoses, proposed solutions, and how those solutions datafy classrooms. Then, 110 students who were in K-12 schools during the Pandemic were surveyed about their experiences with MAs, and the results were compared to the MAs’ advertised offerings. Findings indicate that MAs are platforms that ostensibly offer safety to our progressively online school systems in exchange for the datafication of students.

Authors

• Duncan Culbreth, North Carolina State University

• Cigdem Meral, North Carolina State University

• Florence Martin, North Carolina State University

• Rebekah S. Davis, William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation

• Weichao Wang, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Sejal Parikh Foxx, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Callie Womble Edwards, North Carolina State University