How to Explain "Confidentiality"

Explaining confidentiality may take some effort.

Confidentiality is the act of being discreet in communications involving a business or individual. When you enter into a confidentiality agreement, it means you cannot talk about specific things related to the venture the agreement covers. Confidentially is often used in medical and legal circles, but is also useful for new product development or general business functions that are best kept secret. Explaining confidentiality so it is comprehensible is possible using some teaching techniques.

Instructions

1. Create an agreement to help students understand confidentiality. A confidentiality disclosure agrement, or CDA, specifies exactly what is to be kept secret between certain parties. It is also called a non-disclosure agreement and can help to prevent information leaks that may jeopardize sensitive personal or business related information. Parties who sign confidentiality agreements are legally bound to abide by the terms within the document. Have students create their own CDAs for an imaginary business to help explain confidentiality.

2. Use visuals to help clarify main points when lecturing about confidentiality. Put the main points into a visual display to maintain student interest and highlight key areas of knowledge. Have students take notes to further cement the information.

3. Act out scenarios in which students are put in situations where they might be tempted to breach confidentiality. Make up task cards that contain a scenario such as talking to someone at a party or in an elevator when asked a question related to the business venture. Use their responses to the situations and explain how they either maintained or broke their confidentiality agreement.

4. Assess learned knowledge by giving a variety of tests. Use questioning, quizzes and oral exams among others to assess learning. Give scenarios in which students must decide whether someone breached confidentiality to determine if they fully understand the material.

References

• Law.gsu.edu: How to Explain Confidentiality
• University of Washington: Confidentiality
• Guide to Psychology: Confidentiality
• Journal of Medicine: Understanding Confidentiality Agreements
• Columbia University: Teaching Scientific Concepts & Problem Solving