Abstract—This paper presents a study on security and privacy concerns in E-learning. The study has been conducted along with our research effort that focuses on tracking students’ activities on Computer-Mediated Communication tools (e.g. discussion forum, blog, wiki, etc.). It aims to express our attention on technical and ethical aspects of using tracking approach in the learning process. While the study covers an analysis of some existing research data of security in E-learning and user privacy protection provisions, it helps us gain a broader perspective of utilizing the tracking approach in our research. The major contribution of this paper is awareness-raising of the relevant issues, which are often neglected in the research efforts that implicate user tracking and personal data usage for instructional purposes.
Index Terms—Tracking system, Computer-Mediated Communication, E-learning, Security and privacy concern.
Madeth May holds a PhD in Computer Sciences and specializes in
Technology Enhanced Learning and Serious Games. He is currently working
as Assistant Professor (ATER) at the department of Industrial Engineering of
INSA Lyon. F-69621, France (Phone: +33 4 72 43 72 28; Fax: +33 4 72 43
79 92; email: madeth.may@insa-lyon.fr or may.madeth@gmail.com).
Cite: Madeth May and Sébastien George, "Privacy Concerns in E-learning: Is Using Tracking System a Threat?," International Journal of Information and Education Technology vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-8, 2011.