Ethics+of+Technology

Ethics of Technology Lets start out with what has basically become the 10 commandments of Computer Ethics:  1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.  2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.  3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.  4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.  5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.  6. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.  7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.  8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.  9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.  10. Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans. (2)    As students are able to learn quicker with technology than we as adults can keep up with. One of the most important issues that we need to teach students is the Ethics of Computer Usage and the ethics of information that students are allowed to receive from the Internet. Ethics of having information. We need to teach students that just because they can get information that it is not always ethical, we need to teach students that the internet is a great resource, but when we get information from the internet we must give the credit to the original author for the information. Ethics of where students are allowed to look. Students need to know that just because they have access to a site, does not mean that they should go to that site. Most students realize that they should not go to a pornographic site, but what other sites should also be off limits, including sites on hacking and cheating. What teachers need to know about and teach about Ethics. To teach students the proper Ethics of computer usage, teachers also need to start learning what is ethical and not ethical about computers. We as teachers are organizational Leaders and must follow our own rules of ethics. These ethics include, but are not limited to : Articulate social responsibilities, manage personal and resources, make sure user (students) needs are anticipated, support policies, create opportunities to learn the principles and limitations of the computer systems. (1)   Ethics of programs (games) on Computers. Even good students put games on their school laptops not realizing what they are really doing. (article information) Ethics of receiving free information. Just because it is free, doesn’t make it legal. People write books for a living, and make music for a living, now with the internet more and more people are receiving these for free not realizing the legal implimications on it. What is Hacking and is it wrong. “**Poll Reveals Kids Think Hacking Is OK!** Nearly half the elementary and middle school students who responded to a recent poll conducted by Scholastic, Inc., said they don't believe hacking is a crime” (3) Hacking to steel, hacking to destroy (which students now is wrong) and finally Hacking just to look and see what is there. Most people know that the first 2 ways are wrong, but many people don’t realize that the third way is wrong. They believe if they are not trying to destroy anything then it is Okay to look at what is there. I had a student tell me one time, that if he shouldn’t be able to look it was the administrations or technologys job to make sure that he shouldn’t be able to look. The problem is the third way of Hacking (just to see what you can see) is still wrong and unethical, and is #3 on the 10 Commandments.(2) We need to start teaching students the first day they are given a computer of the Ethic. “The best time to begin establishing a culture of proper use is the first day you introduce your students to technology” (3) We also need to start combining the offline world with the online world, for many students we need to change the way they think. Most of our students are already into technology and use it everyday. We need to re-teach them the ethical way of using the technology. Reference: 1 . ACM code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (1992) [] 2. Computer Ethics Institute (2008) The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics [] 3. Linda Starr (2003) Educational World : Tools for Teaching Cyber Ethics [] 4. Discussing Cyber Ethics with Students is Critical : Robert Kruger July/August 2003