Context of practice
Type of context: face-to-face teaching
Type of teaching: Degree in Psychology.
Year: Second year
Problem and objectives
We carry out a practical class where we exemplify a phenomenon in psychology. For this we need the students to use a computer, as it is necessary to record the reaction time of their answers. At the end of the task, each student averages their times, returns it to the teacher and the teacher generates a document with all the answers. After performing a statistical analysis, the teacher shares the file in the shared folder of the computers so that the students can take the results of the practice with them. The aim is for students to be able to understand the phenomenon of psychology, without exposing their data to risk, and without their devices being affected.
Tools and resources
We use a computer room in the school. On these computers we installed the experimental task presentation programme PsychoPy, which does not require internet and returns a file to the local computer with the recorded data. The computers are frozen so that nothing of what has been done in each session is saved.
Description of practice
First of all, each pupil uses a school computer. They do not have to identify themselves in any way. Accessing the task through the programme returns an Excel file to their computer. The students average their answers and report back to the teacher. Subsequently, the teacher shows the statistical analysis to be performed. The resulting document is shared via the computers’ shared folder. Each student must save the document, either with his or her USB stick or by sending it to the post.
Expected results
I hope that students’ devices will not be affected.
Strengths or advantages
Students’ data cannot be shared or identified. Their devices are protected. In the case of USB, computers are switched off at each use to eliminate possible risks.
Risks or weaknesses
The only risk is that a student inserts an infected USB stick, affecting the computer in question, and then the next user. It would be advisable to turn off the computer after each use.
Need for support
I think I can carry out the strategy, although I can consult with the data protection manager or the faculty’s IT staff on some issues.