The use of Educational Technology (EdTech) in the classroom is increasing, and with it the amount of sensitive data about students it collects. This data is powerful and can have a huge impact on children’s privacy and fundamental rights. But what standards should EdTech companies and investors follow to ensure they are ethically collecting and managing data? The Open Data framework and principles can help provide answers.
Open data is digital data that is accessible, shareable, and reusable by anyone, anytime. It is designed to promote the quality, efficiency, and responsiveness of data, and follows the FAIR principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. The goal of open data is to facilitate usage and transparency while maintaining the security of individual’s rights.
For EdTech investors, this means integrating open data principles into their investment processes. They should be asking important questions about how the EdTechs they are investing in are managing data and ensuring compliance with regulations. They should also be looking for evidence of data responsibilities, data management plans, and cybersecurity standards. Additionally, investors should consider the latest country-specific regulations for open data programs to ensure they are up to date.
Open data can also be used to provide teachers with valuable data and insights about their students. By combining data on electricity consumption with classroom data like class size, lesson length, and geographic location, teachers can identify possible energy waste and create strategies to reduce it. Open data can also be used to develop new tools to help address global challenges in education.
EdTech companies and investors have a responsibility to ensure they are ethically managing data and creating positive social and economic impact. Open data practices provide an opportunity for EdTechs to innovate while also being transparent and responsible. By following open data principles, companies and investors can ensure they are creating a more ethical and sustainable future for EdTech.
