Data Privacy and Security for Online Teachers - Data Protection Day

Friday, January 28, is the Data Protection Day. The change to remote online working since the outburst of Covid-19 has moved a strong debate about data privacy along with security. In today’s online educational world, it can include exchanging personal data with students. Nowadays, personal data are being processed every second, isn’t it? Moreover, a lot of online educators are still unfamiliar with the risks connected to the safety of their personal data as well as their rights in this aspect.

On 26 April 2006, the Council of Europe decided to launch a Data Protection Day to be celebrated each year on 28 January. It is the date on which the Council of Europe’s data protection convention, known as “Convention 108”, was opened for the sign. Data Protection Day is now celebrated worldwide and is called Privacy Day.

Remote/Online Teaching

If an educator is working for more than one stage, additional care needs to be taken in order to safeguard the student data from each one is kept detached. On the other hand, there are some platforms that ask teachers to install software on their hard-drive which may comprise malware. online EFL teachers frequently have to make businesses on privacy in order to secure their work.

Earlier it was easy for us to keep track of our personal information. But, today, our personal information is stored online, and it's reachable to more people than ever before. Needless to say, nowadays, many of us do share our location, our travel strategies, our shopping interests, our family photos online and so on. This way, we are leaving our 'digital footprint'.

Knowing so much about you certainly gives several online platforms a lot of power. So, how can you protect your data? Let us find out!

Teachers’ Data Privacy While Teaching Online/Remote

Try these ways to teach online safety ---

1. Allow Google Automatically Delete Your Data

   Google has come up with this great idea. With auto-delete for Location History, Web & App Activity and YouTube History, you can select the option to automatically and continuously delete your activity along with location history after 3 or 18 months. You can likewise control what data is protected in your account with easy on/off controls in your Google Account. You can even delete your data by date, product and subject.

     (Source - vpnmentor.com)  
2. Password Safekeeping
   
   Keep your passwords safe always. Your Google Account’s Password Manager aids you to remember and it securely stores strong passwords for all your online accounts. With Password Checkup, it will tell you if any of your passwords are weak or not. Whether you’ve reused them across numerous sites, or if Google has discovered it has been compromised in a third-party data breach. Google will give you the link to change them as well. Use two-factor authentication when possible.
    
3. Phones, Mobile Apps, and Secrecy
   
   Personal cell phones also create the issue of security and data privacy for teachers. There are different smartphones and apps which are essential for communicating with students as well as with parents. But sometimes, they may sacrifice their privacy. Low-tech solutions consist of using third-party services. Thus, it is important to check the privacy policies of these types of apps. It is also important to know that Cookies frequently track location, nevertheless, this is not the only form of location tracking. As a teacher, you also must educate your students about privacy-protection.
    
4. Use Google Apps in Incognito Mode
   
   The Incognito mode was launched with Chrome in 2008 and since then, it has been one of its most popular privacy controls. When you turn on Incognito mode in Maps, your activities like the places you search won’t be saved to your respective Google Account. When you turn off Incognito mode, you’ll return to a custom-made Google Maps experience with eatery references, info about your commute, along with other features custom-made for you.
    
5. Control What Ads You See
   
   Did you know you can control what ads you see from Google? Google does not sell your private information to anyone. If you’re inquisitive about why you’re seeing an ad, you can click on Why this ad for more information. If you do not find a definite ad applicable, you can select to block that ad by using the Mute ad control. Needless to say, you can always control the types of ads you see, or turn off ads personalization at any time in your Ad Settings.

Apart from the above-mentioned browser safety tips, try these additional ones as well ---

• Always search for an HTTPS version of sites.
• Try to use ad-blockers and tracker-blocking extensions.
• Try to use alternative search engines that don’t track your searches.
• Check your browser safety settings, particularly the ones that block third-party cookies and pop-up windows.
• Use technology to teach about cyberbullying.
• Review privacy settings on any of your social media accounts.
• Turn off location-sharing services for your devices.

Can You Do Anything To Protect Your Data?

Certainly, it is significant that we pay more and more attention to how data is developed, where it is stored and how it is used. As an online ESL educator with 220 hours International Diploma in TEFL/TESOL, you must know the do’s and don’ts. As institutes and universities plan for the future, remote/online learning is an opportunity that will continue to be offered. By protecting sensitive information constantly, you can avoid costly data privacy dangers.

If you are looking for earning a TEFL/TESOL certificate then contact us at +916292137532 or send an email to act@asiancollegeofteachers.com. Happy Teaching!