Re: classroom management software

[James Farr '05 <jfarr () UTICA EDU>]

We use a product called SchoolVue by Crosstec.  

This software has a silent mode and a normal mode.  The silent mode allows
people to silently view and monitor machine. The normal mode shows the
students when someone is monitoring their workstation.  This is an option so
it is possible for the instructor to turn it off and go silent.

 

We have this software restricted.  Users have to be put the in a special
group before they are even allowed access to the software.  This prevents
anyone from just hopping on the instructor machine and viewing other
machines in the lab.  Before being given access they go through a short
training session.  During this session I cover all the basics, but I
highlight the features, and downplay the controlling capabilities.
(accentuate the positives)  So after the training session a professor knows
that it is possible to track students, but there are many more feature that
they can use it for.

 

 

Be an Internet Skeptic!  There's nothing really free on the 'net 

Utica College and other reputable organizations will never use email to
request that you reply with your password, social security number or
confidential personal information.

James Farr

Information Security Officer

Instructional Technologist

Utica College

jfarr () utica edu

315-223-2386

 

 

 

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv
[mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of Smith, Bob
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 6:38 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [SECURITY] classroom management software

 

We have been asked by some of our faculty to evaluate the use of some
classroom management software such as iTALC (Intelligent Teaching And
Learning with Computers) and SynchronEyes.  However, we are concerned about
privacy issues connected to the use of such products.

 

The configuration and "features" of one such product is as follows:

 

1 - client installed on the instructor station and only accessible by
specified instructors

a.     specified instructor has the ability to take control in addition to
viewing/monitoring

2 - client installed on the classroom/lab workstations

a.     configured to only be viewable from the specific instructor station

b.    no indication/notice/alarm that viewing/monitoring has been activated

c.     no permission to allow the viewing/monitoring is needed

 

Problem: Any specified instructor using the instructor station can
view/monitor the classroom workstation at any time without any indication or
permission that viewing/monitoring is taking place no matter who is logged
on to the classroom workstation (student, faculty/staff or guest).

 

If you are using such a product, what steps have you taken (policy,
technology or otherwise) to mitigate those concerns? 

 

Thank you.

 

Bob Smith, CISM

AVP IITS & Information Security Officer

Longwood University

www.longwood.edu