The Charter of Rights of Online Trainees

In addition to the world of work, the academic world also moved online during 2020.

In a very short time and almost without warning, educational institutions in many countries were closed to prevent the spread of the virus and professors and students were engaged in online classes. This change has been challenging for both of them.

Aware that the online mode might be the only one possible at least until the fall and wanting to make sure that the problems that have emerged during the last few months (and mainly due to the rush to switch from classroom to online learning mode) are solved, ProctorU's US team has decided to offer schools and students a roadmap to improve the online learning experience.

Starting from 2 areas of students' needs and expectations, they have developed 7 statements that, together, give rise to the "Charter of Students' Rights for Distance and Digital Work", accessible at StudentTestingRights.org. These points summarize the fundamental information that must be shared, agreed upon and communicated to students and school staff before and during online learning.

The Charter of Students' Online Rights

What are the rights that should be guaranteed to every student online?

1. Receive answers to questions

You have the right to receive clear and timely answers to all questions relating to your rights and obligations as a student in connection with digital or distance academic work or evaluation.

2. Expect honesty and accuracy

You have the right to expect all academic work, including assessments, to be conducted with honesty and integrity and in full and faithful compliance with the highest ethical standards.

3. Expect compliance with privacy laws and policies.

You have the right to expect any entity involved in remote academic work or evaluations to comply with all state laws, accreditation bodies and institutional policies relating to student privacy and data.

4. Understand and Review Privacy Policies

It is important to know that there are policies and procedures in place to protect the work and privacy of students and that you have the right to know what information is being collected, why it is being collected and what the retention and dissemination policies are and to review them if necessary.

5. Understand and review policies to disconnect others

It is important to know that policies and procedures are implemented to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by the misconduct of others (through the use of tools that are not permitted to complete academic work), and everyone has the right to review these policies where necessary.

6. Understand data collection, storage and dissemination

In addition to what you have seen before, you have the right to know how your work is stored and whether it is disclosed. You have the right to request that your data and your work not be sold or transferred to third parties.

7. Expect data collection to be specific and limited

You have the right to expect that no data or information will be collected or stored beyond what is required by your academic institution to safeguard your work and privacy, as well as the integrity and fairness of remote academic work and evaluation.

Although these rights do not cover all the issues that may arise during online learning, the framework sets out the key points and provides a starting point for further discussion.