Haleema Azra and Iffath Zeeshan, American College of Education, USA

The proliferation of big data analytics across higher education institutions offers promising avenues for improving student success while simultaneously raising critical concerns about data privacy protection and the ethical frameworks governing information management. This dual nature presents administrators and policymakers with complex considerations as they navigate the implementation of these powerful analytical tools in academic environments. This qualitative study investigated how educational institutions can effectively balance the implementation of data analytics while maintaining robust privacy protections and ethical standards. Through semi-structured interviews with 30 participants at Greenfield University, including faculty, administrators, and data privacy officers, the research explored current practices, challenges, and potential solutions in educational data analytics. Using thematic analysis, four major themes emerged: ethical framework challenges, privacy protection measures, student rights and consent, and institutional policy implementation. The findings revealed significant tensions between leveraging data for educational improvement and protecting student privacy, particularly in areas of predictive analytics and early intervention strategies. Attendees emphasized that conventional consent procedures fall significantly short of addressing current needs, while advocating for data management approaches characterized by greater clarity and openness. The discourse underscored a collective recognition that existing frameworks for obtaining permission have become outdated in today's complex information landscape, with stakeholders calling for substantive reforms that would ensure individuals are fully informed about how their information is being collected, utilized, and shared.. The study identified critical gaps in existing ethical frameworks and emphasized the importance of developing comprehensive guidelines that balance technological innovation with privacy protection. Key recommendations include implementing more robust data governance frameworks, enhancing transparency in data collection and usage, and developing more effective mechanisms for obtaining meaningful informed consent from students. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on ethical considerations in educational data analytics and provides practical insights for institutions seeking to implement data-driven approaches while maintaining ethical integrity and student privacy

Big data analytics, higher education, student privacy, ethical frameworks, data governance, educational technology