I teach a research design course to a group of doctoral students in a local middle school.  I wanted to demonstrate Google Docs to them and encourage them to use it since they’re working in small groups on a research project.  4 people, 1 report; perfect situation for Google Docs.  But, sure enough, when I went to demonstrate it during class…denied/blocked.  One of my students asked her IT dept. why.  She was told that Google Docs is blocked because “it is an online file sharing service that is outside the district and on the web…We have to be careful to protect student data and information, and cannot do so outside the confines of the [district abbreviations] domain.”

Really?  If a student created a “work product” with Google Docs, it would only be visible to invitees unless the student publishes the work to the web.  I guess that’s potentially a problem, but how is that different from posting student art work all over the school or around the community?  In the university building in which I work, there are paintings on the walls all done by local school children with their names, grades and school names. 

Believe me, I understand privacy concerns.  I do.  But, isn’t this a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water?  Don’t the potential benefits to students and especially teachers and administrators strongly outweigh the costs?  Isn’t there a more sensible approach here?

Tags: Google Docs, privacy