I have only looked at and researched the positive side of Google’s newest creations, Google Glass. After reading several articles, I have realized there are some major issues that no one is talking about. There are several fascinating features incorporated into Google Glass that can be scary. One of the scariest is the thought of being recording and not knowing it. It is hard enough being a teacher and having the fear of getting your picture taken by of student. Or even worse a video taken of you and posted to youtube. At least with smartphones, you typically will see a student with their phone out before they actually record you. With the new Google Glass you will have no idea if someone even has Google Glass on, let alone recording anything. Right now it is easy to spot Google Glass but it has been said they look "nerdy," which I agree with. In the future these glasses will look like any other pair of reading glasses. Are you ready for Google Glass to make an appearance in your classroom?
These issues are not just ones that can occur in the classroom, what about outside the classroom? The thought of possibly being recorded and not being aware is scary enough but then to have that data stored on Google’s cloud is a even scarier. With all the new technology, things you say and do can be recorded, stored and attached to your name online, without you even knowing.
Will we have any privacy left? Do these downfalls outweigh the benefits of Google Glass?
Google Glass has many benefits, yet I do believe that those are easily outweighed by their downfalls. As teachers, we must constantly be aware of our reputations, even outside of the classroom walls. I recall a time when a professor once told me that an innocent picture of her and her husband playing around while on vacation could have cost her a job. We are not allowed to live a life that most find no concerns with. Google Glass now offers a camera that can elusively record everything without your knowledge. It can be even easier now to capture anything. Now, in my job, I don't have to worry about kids taking out their phones to snap a picture...they don't have one. But, the idea of what could happen is enough to make me hope Google Glasses never makes it off the ground.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, I completely agree with you when it comes to our privacy. Not to mention the privacy of other students. However, this technology is coming and it is only going to become more intrusive and elusive. I too am hesitant about this technology in the classroom because of what can go wrong. With that being said, I believe that it is better if we teach our students how to handle this technology from the get go rather than have them sneaking around using it how they want to without any guidance. This is not an easy pill for me to swallow but one that I think must be done if we are going to protect ourselves as well as educate students on the appropriate uses of technology.
DeleteI think that 1984 is becoming a reality in our society. Privacy as we currently know it, is rapidly deteriorating. Google class is just the next step in what is already a slippery slope.
DeleteSo obviously I am not a teacher and not in the classroom in front of students, but there is a part of me that wonders why teachers are so hesitant and really scared to allow this type of media in the classroom. I understand the concern with reputation and slander but couldn't this be used for good? The video a glass-wearing student could capture could be used to highlight and showcase how great that teacher is. In public education shouldn't the public know and understand how great our teachers are? I feel this could also be used as a motivating factor for each teacher to be the best he or she can be! Again, I'm sure with me not being in a classroom my views are different but I feel the benefits of Glass outweigh the potential negatives.
ReplyDeleteChristian,
DeleteAs you are right, the ability to publish lectures and other educational content would be valuable. I think the fear is the constant "big brother" feel. As we see in reality TV, professional athletes, etc, when the camera is constantly rolling, even the most polished of personalities will have a verbal mix-up and have their words misconstrued. I welcome anyone into my classroom, but do fear a constant camera on all of my movements.
I think the "big brother" feel is only going to expand. As I mentioned in a previous comment, "big brother" is another term (in my opinion) for accountability. Accountability isn't a bad thing, but it's more of a matter of where is the line between accountability and privacy.
DeleteWhile I’m definitely not ready for my privacy to be taken away like that, I also don’t think that we can stop it. I hate the idea that students will be able to invade our personal privacy by having something like Google Glass. I believe that the way to handle it is to teach them responsibility with these devices. I know that having BYOD in my school has presented some challenges. One of those challenges was that students were taking photos of other students in the hallway and being irresponsible with them. We had to discuss why this was inappropriate and how it could get them into trouble. Now I’m not naive enough to think that it has completely stopped but I can tell you that the complaints that we had been getting from students have stopped. I believe since we can’t stop technological advances from entering into our classroom we need to teach our students how to properly use those devices.
ReplyDeleteagree- like teaching kids how to interview or write a resume, we should also teach them how to be professional on the computer and where the limits should be drawn.
DeleteI completely agree! A huge issue for me is the way in which students will handle the responsibility of carrying these devices and having them at their disposal. I can't imagine having my third graders be able to handle the responsible use of any device. I can't even get certain students to go to the right websites! Obviously, it is important to teach the students when they are younger, so that they don't use it irresponsibly as they age, but it is a hard concept to teach...
DeleteThe argument against google glass is an interesting argument. Melissa is correct about google glass and it's possible privacy violations. I read another article that discussed 11 places where google glass would not be permitted and they are; banks, casino's and other financial institutions, museums, government buildings, hospitals, movie theaters, classrooms, tests and exams, restaurants, gyms, and work (if you work with sensitive information such as financial info or medical info). With the heightened sense security in the current age of terrorism as well as copyright concerns and malpractice lawsuits, I can see why the aforementioned places would consider banning google glass. However, to me, google glass may also bring a new sense of accountability in some areas and that is not always a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteJay, I agree with the sense of accountability and responsibility. I get that there are times and places where people would not want Glass around, but we live in such an open and connected world anyway, I think the line of personal privacy (to an extent) will continue to be blurred. A somewhat scary thought but whether we know it or not, someone is usually watching us unless in the privacy of ones own home, and sometimes even there too!
DeleteJust found another article about Glass that is pretty good. Written May 28, 2013:
Deletehttp://www.fastcompany.com/3009991/what-will-it-really-be-like-to-live-in-a-google-glass-world
As we discussed in our BYOD class... we will definitely have to address serious conversations of appropriate use and also citizenship of the uses of these types of devices in our classrooms.
DeleteIt is amazing to think that this is in the near future...wonder what will be next??? Privacy is a lightly used term these days among our youth... some of them do not have much of a filter when it comes to language, behavior and/or comments to others that are found offensive and have a consequence. Often times..they are just 'playing' or messing around... but have some consequences that are unfortunate realities of things that they say and/or do to self/others using technology/social media especially.
I too find this to be an interesting stance. Not only will privacy be an issue for teachers, but what about the students? I can't imagine the bullying possibilities with students being able to record each others conversations effortlessly. These are all issues we will need to address with our students.
DeleteScared to death... same reason I do not have facebook account or personal twitter account, to cover my behind and to avoid any pitfalls. We have to look out for ourselves, and if that means making sacrifices. so be it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a scary and uneasy feeling!!! I also do not have a facebook or twitter account. I like to keep it pretty closed up but know that there are always holes in the system. I realize that much of my info can be found and if someone wanted to ... they could locate me. I am worried about this evolution and not sure how it will affect our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteThere are many benefits to a lot of things out there that we can bring into our classroom...just like using BYOD..but there are also so many areas of concern. I have had only a few scary/uneasy incidents with BYOD and we haven't even adopted it yet as a whole school. There are still a few kinks to iron out.
Jeanna, this is a question for you about your reply, and for anyone with related issues. Were the scary/uneasy BYOD incidents specific to materials students had on their own devices, or was it perhaps that they didn't have a safe search feature on? Just curious about what type of incidents occurred. We have begun to use BYOD at C.O. Harrison, and to my knowledge there have not been issues, but it might be good to know what to troubleshoot. (Sorry if this is a BYOD question and it is covered in another class.)
DeleteAs so many have already commented, there are serious privacy issues to consider with Google Glass. In schools and other situations, such as public locker rooms, there will have to be rules of use, and in public places, norms of use. What can people do if they don't want to be recorded? This issue is not new. Cameras, camcorders, cell phones all could be used to record images of people in public. Such public recorded images made it possible to identify the Boston Marathon bombers. Google Glass brings being filmed to a new level of intrusion, though, because it can be done surreptitiously (someone has already created an unauthorized app that causes Google Glass to begin filming by the wearer's wink). I definitely feel a heightened level of unease, though having one's hands free, head up, and having so much information available in a voice-activated product could be very useful.
ReplyDeleteWow, you brought up some great points, Melissa. Google glasses honestly sound like the coolest new technology since sliced bread, and the educational opportunities are endless, but what are the risks? Where will the videos/pictures taken with the googles be stored? Will anyone have access to these materials? Will every student wearing google googles who is speaking to a teacher also be recording our conversations? Certainly, we hope we have nothing to hide but today it is so easy to alter audio, video, and pictures, and to take them out of context to create chaos. This is definitely food for thought.
ReplyDelete