Ethical issues of monitoring sensor networks for energy efficiency in smart buildings: A case study

Abstract The development of Internet of Things (IoT) based sensors has become crucial for analyzing and optimizing the energy-performance of buildings. However, researchers and professionals should be prepared to deal with the social and thus ethical issues arising from the use of such technologies. Based on a real case-study, we present a detailed analysis of the networks of stakeholders and the consequent ethical issues related to the implementation of energy and IEQ sensors network in an Italian university campus. Alternative scenarios for eliminating or reducing the criticalities related to security and privacy issues are proposed

TECO all’Università: quali usi e funzioni?

The paper aims to discuss the use of TECO assessment of generic learning outcomes in Italian Universities. A brief overview of the social, cultural, institutional and political context of higher education and educational assessment is followed by the description of an assessment model use whose specificity lies on a purpose and value oriented approach. This model emphasizes the relevance of making explicit cultural beliefs and values underlying assessment purposes and uses in compliance with scientific criteria and assessment validity with the aim of developing a democratic debate about uses and misuses of the results.Il contributo propone, mediante un modello d’uso della valutazione, un’analisi della sperimentazione TECO relativa alla valutazione degli esiti dell’apprendimento di natura generalista all’università. Dopo alcuni brevi riferimenti all’attuale contesto socioculturale e politico-istituzionale dell’università, viene presentato tale modello in cui gli scopi della valutazione e le connesse scelte valoriali hanno un ruolo guida rispetto agli usi intenzionali dei risultati della valutazione. Sulla base di tale ottica viene discussa l’importanza di esplicitare gli orizzonti culturali e valoriali sottesi a scopi e usi, salvaguardando i criteri del rigore scientifico e della validità valutativa per consentire un democratico confronto tra i diversi utilizzatori circa gli usi appropriati e impropri dei risultati