Using students' tracking data in E-learning: Are we always aware of security and privacy concerns?

This paper presents a study on security and privacy concerns in E-learning. The study has been conducted along with our research effort that focuses on tracking students' activities on Computer-Mediated Communication tools (e.g. discussion forum, blog, wiki, etc.). It aims to express our attention on technical and ethical aspects of using tracking approach in the learning process. While the study covers an analysis of some existing research data of security in E-learning and user privacy protection provisions, it helps us gain a broader perspective of utilizing the tracking approach in our research. The major contribution of this paper is that it raises an awareness of the relevant issues, which are often neglected in the research efforts that implicate user tracking and personal data usage for instructional purposes.