Ethical issues in the the use of educational technologies in classrooms .
1. Written guidelines, statements, and policies (Johnson,2012)
No technology should put in place until acceptable use policies and guidelines are clearly written, adopted and understood by both staff and students (Johnson,2007). Posting rules of computer use in classrooms, labs, and libraries is beneficial (Johnson,2012). Simple guidelines like Johnson’s 3 P’s of Technology Ethics are easy even for the young child to remember and apply ( Johnson,2012).
1. Privacy—I will protect my privacy and respect the privacy of others.
2. Property—I will protect my property and respect the property of others.
3. aPpropriate Use—I will use technology in constructive ways and in ways which do not break the rules of my family, school, or government (Johnson,2012).
2. Awareness, training, and reinforcement (Johnson,2012)
Leanring how to use the web should include privacy issues (Johnson,2012), how to download software should include cautions about viruses and copyright (Johnson,2012) and learning how to use an on-line databases should address plagiarism issues (Johnson,2012).
3. Modeling
Finally teachers themselves need to be great role models for ethical technology use (Johnson,2012).
Technology ethics at practicum ......
Technology use privileges should not be given to students until they know and can apply ethical standards and school policies regarding technology usage(Johnson,2007). Addressing ethics in technology was shown when the year 2 class had a computer lesson. In this lesson students were learning to log in and access the spelling city website. Before they were able to access the internet they had to agree to various terms and conditions which covered ethics of internet usage. Such issues included privacy,harassment and its appropriate use. Each issue was discussed by the teacher. Once all the students understood the information presented they then clicked on agree. These rules were evident in the computer labs for further reinforcement.
I was able to learn that school also have an obligation to educate parents about ethical technology use through newsletters, talks at parent meetings, and through school orientation programs (Johnson,2007). Overall it is important that we as teachers as well as other schooling staff enforce good technology practices (Johnson,2007). Remembering that ethical instruction needs to be on- going (Johnson,2007).
I was able to learn that school also have an obligation to educate parents about ethical technology use through newsletters, talks at parent meetings, and through school orientation programs (Johnson,2007). Overall it is important that we as teachers as well as other schooling staff enforce good technology practices (Johnson,2007). Remembering that ethical instruction needs to be on- going (Johnson,2007).