Objective a: Discuss ethics related to computer usage

The Computer Ethics Institute has given us the following ten commandments for computer ethics. These ten commandments were copied from http://computerethicsinstitute.org/images/TheTenCommandmentsOfComputerEthics.pdf on August 7, 2014. Look closely at each of the commandments. We will follow them in class this school year.

Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.

Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.

Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.

Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.

Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.

Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.

Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.

Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.

Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.

Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.

Look at the Word document below. It is the Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics. Each commandment has a "Simply Put" statement. This is followed by an explanation of why we will follow this commandment and its appropriateness in class. Thank you, Bonnie Crabtree, for contributing this!

Unit 1_WORD_10 Commandments of Ethics_+Explanations by Bonnie Crabtree.docx

Cyber citizenship is important for everyone who participates in the online world. Look at the Cyber Citizen website by clicing the link. Browse each of the areas on the site's home page. Learn what cyber ethics is, what constitutes as a cyber crime, and more. You are sure to enjoy the just for kids page. Some of today's students believe it is ok to hack information. Others are being arrested for commiting online fraud. Because of inappropriate activities like these, more governmental agencies like the FBI are calling for cyber ethics curriculum and conferences to be held.

What are some types of cybercrime? Look at the list provided by Ms. Crabtree below.

General Intrusions (equivalent to breaking and entering in the real world)

Hacking, spyware, phishing, pharming,
Sending computer viruses & worms to invade computers
Causing denial of service attacks
Creating bots, Trojan horses, zombie machines

Nuisances (usually non-violent activities)

Sending spam
Changing web page text and images
Redirecting websites

Personal Identity Theft (using someone else's name or credit)

Phishing for private information, passwords, code numbers
Making unauthorized purchases with stolen credit cards or ID
Destroying personal reputation
Damaging personal credit ratings

Theft of Intellectual Property (stealing ideas or creations of others)

Downloading copyrighted music & videos
Software piracy
Plagiarism, cheating

Physical or Mental Damage

Cyberbullying, harassment
Cyberstalking
Sexual exploitation of minors, child pornography

Terrorism

Stealing military and private industry secrets - espionage
Brainwashing and recruiting new followers
Building terrorist communications network

Objectives b and c: Discuss ethics related to educational applications and the workplace

The National Education Association has a Code of Ethics. Let's take a moment and look at it. You will see the Preamble and Principle I copied below directly from the NEA website at http://www.nea.org/home/30442.htm on August 7, 2014.

Code of Ethics

Preamble

The National Education Association believes that the education profession consists of one education workforce serving the needs of all students and that the term ‘educator’ includes education support professionals.

The educator, believing in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nurture of the democratic principles. Essential to these goals is the protection of freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal educational opportunity for all. The educator accepts the responsibility to adhere to the highest ethical standards.

The educator recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the teaching process. The desire for the respect and confidence of one's colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the members of the community provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession indicates the aspiration of all educators and provides standards by which to judge conduct.

The remedies specified by the NEA and/or its affiliates for the violation of any provision of this Code shall be exclusive and no such provision shall be enforceable in any form other than the one specifically designated by the NEA or its affiliates.

PRINCIPLE I

Commitment to the Student

The educator strives to help each student realize his or her potential as a worthy and effective member of society. The educator therefore works to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals. Open a blank word document. In 500 words discuss the commitment of your teachers to your school. Discuss some of the things that your teachers do that goes above and beyond the call of duty.

In fulfillment of the obligation to the student, the educator--

1. Shall not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning.

2. Shall not unreasonably deny the student's access to varying points of view.

3. Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's progress.

4. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.

5. Shall not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement.

6. Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, or sexual orientation, unfairly--

Exclude any student from participation in any program

Deny benefits to any student

Grant any advantage to any student

7. Shall not use professional relationships with students for private advantage.

8. Shall not disclose information about students obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law.

Cowboy Ethics in the Classroom - The Great Experiment

The Ten Principles for Cowboy Ethics are provided below. They were obtained from http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Cowboy-Ethics-Students-use-ranch-principles-to-learn-253180681.html on August 7, 2014.

1. Live each day with courage
2. Take pride in your work
3. Always finish what you start
4. Do what has to be done
5. Be tough, but fair
6. When you make a promise, keep it
7. Ride for the brand
8. Talk less and say more
9. Remember that some things aren't for sale
10. Know where to draw the line

Click the link below to visit the Cowboy Ethics page. Look at the Vimeo Videos on the page - especially the 11th Principle.

Cowboy Ethics

We recognize the importance of taking pride in our work, standing up for what is right, and so forth. Let's apply to this to the work place or office. Your values and actions reflect your work principles and ethics. Look at this quick video.

Steps for Making Ethical Decisions

Identify the ethical issue or problem.
List the facts that have the most bearing on the decision.
Identify anyone who might be affected by your decision and how.
Explain what each affected person would want you to do about the issue.
List three alternative actions and identify the best and worst case scenario for each alternative, anyone who would be harmed by this choice (and how), any values that would be compromised by selecting this alternative, and any automatic reasons why this alternative should not be selected (legal issues, rules, etc.).
Determine a course of action.

Copied from the following website http://lessonplans.btskinner.com/ethics1.html on August 7, 2014.