Tech adoption in the classroom is becoming a privacy disaster

California's Silicon Valley is home to companies like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Apple. They are all leaders in the way that data is collected and put to good use. The word "data-driven" is not just a Silicon Valley business buzzword, it is also a popular phrase in the education system as a whole. When paired with Silicon Valley's "tech first" culture, it has created a breeding ground for EdTech. EdTech, or education technology, are digital applications being used in the classroom for the purpose of education.<br><br>Many critics argue that the data being used in the classroom is not being used in a way that is beneficial to students. Instead of using the data to create a tailored curriculum, it is instead being used by the companies associated with the apps for their own benefit. The data is being used by companies to increase their profit and sell it to other EdTech companies to raise the price of their product and to put the screws to school districts.<br><br>Committee member Tim Sparapani said "What's going on here is that parents are in the dark about what's happening to their children at school," at a recent FTC meeting discussing the privacy issues associated with EdTech. There are also concerns that the data is being used to create a "permanent record" of the students. That record could potentially impact students down the line when looking for jobs, taking tests, or other prestigious opportunities. The data is also not being properly protected by the EdTech companies. The FTC says that it has jurisdiction to police EdTech's data collection practices and has been using their power recently to crack down on EdTech companies.<br><br><br>(This is an excerpt from an article I wrote for a business and economics publication. Link to the full text and comments can be found in my profile.)