Today, many academic facilities have to implement web-based applications, simulations, and programs to support distant education and help students and teachers cooperate. Despite multiple e-learning advantages and opportunities, some people continue defining certain ethical issues that could challenge a learning process (Almseidein & Mahasneh, 2020). An Online Student Registration System facilitates registration steps to properly upload all the necessary material, making students authenticate data but face unclear details concerning their academic freedoms, consent, and confidentiality.
When students and teachers choose the offered registration system, they are obliged to follow many rules and share personal data to prove their appropriateness for the course. Many regulations and recommendations have already been imposed on simulations and applications, making people think about the essence of academic freedom for all stakeholders. Access to academic freedom means the right of a facility to define its missions and goals independently from the government. However, to be a part of the World-Wide System presupposes multiple obligations and questions the possibility of free education. Besides, the registration process omits the point when students and teachers share their consent about adding their personal information and making it available online somehow. Finally, the breach of confidentiality and privacy emerges due to the authentication requirement. Although it is expected to protect individual and intellectual property rights, the coping of documents might happen regarding the increased prevalence of hackers and other technical professionals (Almseidein & Mahasneh, 2020). Thus, course registration and management are hardly safe and apparent.
Despite good purposes and clear education intent, sharing personal information online may be associated with ethical issues and concerns. Students and teachers should never forget about the possibility of damaging and stealing their data, even if it is properly protected. Specific consent forms should help remove questions about doubtful academic freedom and confidentiality aspects and ensure that all participants know the existing benefits and threats.
Reference
Almseidein, T., & Mahasneh, O. (2020). Awareness of ethical issues when using an e-learning system. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 11(1), 128-131.