One of the early startups in Ed Tech had a business model where they would collect all sorts of data from users of their platform, and then analyze it for patterns, and process with algorithms that served just in time learning chunks to specific individuals. In theory, this approach suggested that the problem of different learning statuses in a group of students could be overcome by tailoring just what a single student “needed” for the next moment/ moments.
Seemed like a possibly great approach, and one that would improve with each iteration and each additional chunk of student data.
However, there were problems. Slowly at first, put then picking up speed, pushback arrived against the idea of collecting students data and concerns over who would “own” it, and how transparent the process might be to those students involved. Governments are slow to act when attempting to regulate, and have been especially unprepared to deal with data collection, data ownership, privacy of users, and such.
Here the FTC is attempting to step in where “abuses” or “potential abuses” have been noted by some. As has been the case with internet regulations, it’s hard to avoid throwing the “good” startups out with the dirty exploitative bathwater. OTOH, we’ve seen where unregulated data collection processes have landed us. No easy answers for this conundrum appear imminent, but not to say some answers can’t be found with due diligence.
FTC to set its sights on ed tech companies