An educational panopticon? New technology, nurse education and surveillance

This papers raises concerns about the use of new technology in nurse education. It is possible that new forms of computer-based learning and teaching carry with them the possibility of new kinds of ‘panoptic’ surveillance and control of students. We discuss how this is possible, and set this development within a wider social context. These forms of panoptic surveillance are, we believe, inimical to the underlying values and philosophy of nurse education. New technology does not necessarily have to be used in this way, and can be part of a liberating pedagogy. We would not propose that surveillance of students should never be used, but rather that its use should be considered and debated.