Flickr Questions and Concerns
I have to admit I have some real questions and concerns about this application.
I wonder how it can be useful in a college survey class. Most weeks I see my students for 50 minute bursts. We cover large quantities of material in 15 weeks at a commuter campus. I see myself as fairly creative and willing to take chances with new technology and approaches to teaching. All the same, this seems like an application that is better geared to a situation in which the teacher is with the same students for an entire academic year and has more interaction with them than three times a week. Perhaps I am limiting myself out of using this application, but I honestly do not see a way in which it can be used effectively in my context. Any thoughts would be welcome.
My second point is a concern, as alluded to in the title. The book and many of the resources seem to gloss over the possible legal ramifications of using images and posting images of students on the web. It seems that we really would benefit from a discussion on this topic for those who teach at the primary and secondary level.
In the end, the ideas that you post may also influence my thoughts on using it in my classes, especially the legal aspect, as I do have to abide by FERPA (Federal Education rights Privacy Act). Suppose I use Flickr in a lesson, and as part of it we post a class picture with credits. Jimmy is not in class that day, and his father sees this on the class site which he may monitor without Jimmy’s consent. They then enter into a dispute and I am the cause. At the same time, I have actually violated the law, as I am not allowed to discuss the education of my students with anyone but them or a duly designated representative.
Certainly, FERPA is open to interpretation, however, I have been informed that at my institution at least, the standard interpretation is very broad. I must have the student’s permission to discuss their academic progress with a parent or guardian. Even then, the preference is that the student be in the room if at all possible. I have also heard of occasions in which the dean of my subdivision sat in on these conferences. Clearly, this seemingly innocent act could lead to a major confrontation. I wonder if there is the same possibility for others in the class at their institutions?
Again, please post any facts or opinions.
Jim Mc Intyre
It is a great question. If students have uploaded personal pictures to Flickr, I would hesitate to let them use these at all. At the secondary level, and specifically my school, I know that all parents have the right to sign a form deny photo rights of their child. However, if they do not sign this form then I can use student pictures on the school website at will. (Kind of nuts in my opinion that they have to sign a waiver if they don't want their students picture utilized instead of the other way around)
ReplyDeleteWith picture usage in the school, as frustrating as it is to students, I stick to using pictures of buildings, cartoons and non-human objects.
Question though: How is it on facebook I can post a picture of anyone I want? Why do I not have to get their permission to put pictures up of people on my personal website? (Or am I suppose to and I just haven't)
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ReplyDeleteIf I understand your point. You're concerned about violating Ferpa by posting a minor student's image. A think a good rule of thumb for anyone is to limit personally identifiable info on the web, so I can understand the parent's point of view, but within reason. It's somewhat of an added hassle but you might want to consider signed releases above and beyond the general consent&non-consent form policy. Unfortunately, the litigious atmosphere of modern education puts a cloud over nearly anything we do.
ReplyDeleteI understand your concern. Doesn't the college have any specific guidelines on this? I post photos for my school's website, and the school has a 'legal framework' similar to what Marti describes.
ReplyDeleteI would steer clear of posting any photos showing my students, and especially never identify them by their full name.
Since flickr has some privacy settings, you could also just limit the photo sharing aspect to your group of invited members. Posting it on the class wiki or blog is a different matter, then again; but even a wiki you can limit to just members. Not sure about blogs.
Agreeing with Joel and Angelika, I would add that in today's litigious educational world, it is necessary to err on the side of bureaucracy. During the first week of school, or earlier I discuss the required picture paperwork with parents. They often do not understand it. Then I ask them to sign three consents,
ReplyDelete1)consent to have pictures taken during class time.
2)consent that these photos will be used only for class activities
3)consent that these photos may be used for publications related to the class, class activities or the school (e.g., and then list examples, school newspaper, yearbook, flyer on the school and school activities.) I also note that no identifying information will be provided with photos taken except in the case of the yearbook or school newspaper, without additional parental consent.
We do not publish pictures on-line. We have not crossed that line. I am not sure I want to, but I am sure that the students want to, which makes me more likely not to cross the line. This is why I like to engage “Avatars” to represent the kids. Getting the students to identify with a “creation” often helps avoid the picture issues.
Some interesting points. I would look into the laws and regulations dictated by CIPA. You can post students images and names on the internet. There are just rules and regulations that you have to follow. The thing that drives me nuts is that parents will go crazy over a picture on the internet but yet I'll see that same kid on the front page of our local newspaper (by themself) with their first and last name..and general location for catching a fish on the first day of trout season yet everyone is fine with that.
ReplyDeleteI think the only way to solve this problem is through parent consent. I am shocked that you would have to do this at a college level though. It seems consent forms should be focused in the elementary and secondary level. Our district requires these consent forms and we were advised to never use first and last names in photos.
ReplyDeleteInteresting question about facebook. How is legal here to post?
Your questions are legitimate and make me wonder what some of my colleagues do in this manner. I think your safest bet would be to use a permission/letter of consent that can be sent home and returned prior to your assignment, allowing your parent/guardian and student to hold onto a copy for future reference. I think it's a really sensitive issue to put specific student identities on the web, so perhaps avoid these cases because I'm not sure how many of those 'scenario' battles you would win, despite your academically innocent goal for the assignment originally.
ReplyDeleteI would limit your photo sharing and display capacities and abilities to avoid a potentially harmful confrontation.
In reference to your question about utilizing these technological ideas in a class that is seen rarely by you with a huge content load that must be addressed, I would suggest integrating small objectives of these ideas into your lesson plan, without it being the entire lesson plan itself. This way, perhaps, content can be introduced in a 'hooking' manner, but still allow the chunks of your content to be addressed your original way. Little pieces here and there of technology can go a long way- sometimes too much technology can be numbing anyway!
I am not sure that I am able to add any more to the discussion than what's already been said. I am certainly not an expert when it comes to the legal side of this issue. This is definitely one of those gray areas where one needs to tread lightly. Many of the things I would keep in mind have already been stated:
ReplyDelete-Be explicitly clear on expectations
-Allow for the ability to decline participation
-Never use identifiable information
-Remember that content on Flickr can be kept private and only viewable by invited members
Audrey Slocum
Jim,
ReplyDeleteYou questions and concerns are good ones. I particularly like the question about the legal issues over using resources and the legal ramifications. I think you made an excellent point about about how with most of these resources we have glossed over the copyright information and legal aspects. I think with all this technology we as teachers have to be very careful and make sure we take the time to teach our students how to document things the right way.
Chad