Instructure, an edtech company, together with Internet2, a research and education community, established the Data Advisory Council. This new initiative aims to address the increasing data management and archiving needs faced by higher educational institutions worldwide.
The council, composed of experts from Instructure, Internet2, and various academic institutions, will focus on developing and recommending consistent data hygiene and governance standards. It aims to tackle several pressing data-related issues including the management of vast quantities of data, safeguarding student privacy, and ensuring data security.
By conducting research and sharing findings, the council intends to offer practical recommendations for institutions seeking to establish robust data governance policies.
“As institutions handle ever-growing amounts of student data, it is crucial to have clear guidance on data retention strategies,” said Melissa Loble, chief academic officer at Instructure. “Proper data governance can enhance operational efficiency and protect student information.”
Educational data retention
The Data Governance Advisory Council will support the edtech industry through its research and thought leadership. It will experiment with various concepts and solutions for educational data retention, and its members will contribute to shaping and evaluating new approaches. Their insights will influence product strategies and guide future developments in data governance solutions.
“In our data-driven world, protecting sensitive information while leveraging data to improve education and research is essential,” said Sean O’Brien, associate VP for NET+ Cloud Services at Internet2. “This council is crucial for building comprehensive solutions.”
Early advocates like Penn State University have highlighted the need for standardized data governance. The council’s forthcoming playbook will offer research-based best practices to navigate these challenges. Instructure has launched a dedicated resource site to support administrators interested in data governance.