Me too. I get very different reactions to the two words. "Barriers" are something to be challenged (and overcome in some cases). "Boundaries" are areas I study and observe so I can find a way across.
Boundaries are for crossing; we have "trans-boundary rivers" that cross borders and "trans-boundary conservation" where people from different countries come together to try and develop ways to deal with shared issues.
"Boundaries" define groups but are not impenetrable. "Barriers" protect groups but also prevent a group from mixing or interacting with others.
Re. the Patriot's Act - do most instructors avoid using services that reside on U.S. servers because of this Act? We heard of an educator from an eastern province (can't remember which one right now) who couldn't use the free web conferencing service WizQ because their Privacy Act forbade it. We checked with our Territorial Act but ours is outdated and doesn't appear to deal with the issue at all.
I'm always very careful to tell people when I suggest they work "in the cloud" that they need to read the terms and conditions carefully and consider how comfortable they are with them (they vary a fair bit). The Patriot's Act is only one aspect to consider in terms of the security of your information. Having said that, I feel the risk is worth the reward. But it is a choice you should make with your eyes open
Sylvia:
I understand that, in some cases in B.C., use of US-based services has been deemed acceptable as long as students are made aware of the location of the service and have the option not to use it. Being sure students have read the terms and conditions is the basis for informed choice and helps students develop goods skills to deal with the online world in other aspects of their life.
My sense is that much of the concern over this issue has come from institutions concerned about possible liability (not quite sure for what). In other cases, the information or discussions may be on topics which are particularly sensitive (politically or personally) in which case privacy issues are more significant - beyond just the Patriot Act issues.
I understand that, in some cases in B.C., use of US-based services has been deemed acceptable as long as students are made aware of the location of the service and have the option not to use it. Being sure students have read the terms and conditions is the basis for informed choice and helps students develop goods skills to deal with the online world in other aspects of their life.
My sense is that much of the concern over this issue has come from institutions concerned about possible liability (not quite sure for what). In other cases, the information or discussions may be on topics which are particularly sensitive (politically or personally) in which case privacy issues are more significant - beyond just the Patriot Act issues.