Whose Data Is It, Anyway? An EdSurge Debate on Privacy

column | EdSurge Podcast

Whose Data Is It, Anyway? An EdSurge Debate on Privacy

By Mary Jo Madda (Columnist) and Blake Montgomery     Oct 17, 2015

Whose Data Is It, Anyway? An EdSurge Debate on Privacy

Privacy. What a buzzword, but also a major point of contention for the past twelve months. Parents, companies, educators… everyone’s been jumping into the conversation on this topic. The proliferation of education technology has led to many questions about what, and how, student data is collected, analyzed and used. As student privacy and security concerns grow, how do we respond?

Last week, EdSurge conducted a panel in partnership with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, a global law firm that’s got its eye on the privacy debate. Panelists included Dan Carroll, co-founder of edtech company Clever, and Reach Capital partner Shauntel Poulson. EdSurge CEO Betsy Corcoran dove into how edtech leaders should address privacy issues while still advancing learning opportunities. Do companies need to yield to the demands and whims of privacy critics? Or can we all somehow reach a Kum-ba-ya understanding around the edtech campfire? Listen to the podcast to find out.

Panelists and voices heard in the podcast include:

  • Betsy Corcoran (Founder and CEO, EdSurge)
  • Emily Tabatabai (Edtech Privacy Expert, Orrick)
  • Dan Carroll (Co-founder, Clever)
  • Shauntel Poulson (Co-founder and General Partner, Reach/NewSchools Capital)
  • Steven Katz (Strategic Advisor - Education, Hearst Corporation)
  • Craig Blackburn (Director of Technology Programs and Instructional Support, Santa Clara County Office of Education)
  • Melissa Dodd (Chief Technology Officer, San Francisco Unified School District)

Let us know if you enjoyed this podcast--or want to grouse about it! Shoot us a note at feedback@EdSurge.com and tell us which edtech celebrities you'd like to hear from in the future.


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