Week+7+Ethical+Issues

**Ethical Dilemmas**

There was an instance where there were suspicions that students were sharing answers through an exam delivered online by taking it at different times. Although not directly proven and I only heard anecdotally, the possibility seemed very plausible. Since then, I narrowed the window by requiring students to take it at a certain specific time. I also provided a shorter window making it difficult to consult notes or with each other. I consider this issue of cheating resolved. Perhaps not completely but adequately to maintain fairness and course integrity.

**Ethical Scenarios**


 * Student downloads a paper off the Internet and turns it in for credit.**

This is a matter of cheating. Nowadays, there are a number of sites that check for plagiarism. I believe that such behavior as described is grounds for an automatic F. I believe in second chances therefore I do not advocate expulsion. The penalty needs to be severe however and an F sends the correct message. This should be done by the professor.


 * Co-worker e-mails an off-color joke to the entire school staff directory.**

The action to be taken depends a little on how “off-color” the joke was. If racist or sexually explicit, is grounds for a write up with disciplinary action. “Off-color” jokes that is subject to interpretation in a negative way, should result in a private discussion with the employee and the employee being required to send a public apology. This also depends on school policy. School policy should clearly indicate that jokes and any correspondence of this nature is not permitted. Based on such policy, appropriate action can be taken. Such disciplinary action should be undertaken by the supervisor of the employee.


 * Student applies for a job. The company she is applying to checks MySpace to see what she has posted**.

There are two schools of thought. According to a survey by careerbuilder.com, at least 20% of companies admitted to checking Facebook prior to making hiring decisions. From a privacy standpoint, I believe that information found in the public domain is fair game. Not that it should be used for hiring decisions, but given the natural inquisitive nature of humans, it is undeniable that it will affect how an applicant is viewed. For example, if a certain individual has sexually suggestive pictures and language across their social media site, hiring schools may not view that highly as it begs questions as to the person's judgment since such sites are accessible by their future pupils.

Another school of thought is that this is an invasion of privacy. I find this argument hard to defend since the information is publicly available and hiring managers should have a duty to find out all they can about an applicant to make an informed decision.

**Digital Divide**


 * What is the Digital Divide?**

According to edutopia, the digital divide is “most commonly defined as the gap between those individuals and communities that have, and do not have, access to the information technologies that are transforming our lives.” I find the argument from digitaldivide.org that there are two actual issues at play very convincing. One is access to technology and the other is the benefit to derive gain from such access.


 * What ethical issues are present in the Digital Divide?**

In regard to access, it can be argued that those of lower income do not experience the same access to technology as they could not afford it. This is particularly evident when you compare an industrialized vs. a third world country. The other issue in regard to ability to benefit is one that in many ways is harder to solve. Digitaldivide.org gives the example of cybercafes. In third world countries, it is very common to find such cafes where teenagers hang out. Although these cafes are providing access to technology, there is little guidance on how to be productive. Such teenagers therefore find themselves spending an inordinate amount of time playing games and really not able to derive meaningful benefit from the access to technology.

Both can be considered ethical issues since it puts a group at a disadvantage over another. There is room for discussion however since this does not fit into the traditional definition of ethics which has to do with “right” or “wrong”. Nevertheless, these issues have significant ramifications to the issue of societal fairness and the effects of which can have long lasting consequences. Again quoting research by digitaldivide.org, they provide coherent arguments that closing the divide can reduce poverty, terrorism and helps in achieving a sustainable world.


 * How is access addressed?**

Access needs to be addressed by players from macro to micro. From global bodies such as the United Nations, they need to establish that closing the digital divide is a priority and funds plus manpower must be dedicated to the cause. Governments need to be involved as well in creating policy and allocating resources. Local governments need to have a plan for education and the distribution of technology. Companies need to participate on a local level to spread technology and education. Similarly with the school districts. This effort is comprehensive and requires a master plan together with the support of all constituents.


 * What role does it play in K-12 education? higher education? Business?**

Closing the digital divide ultimately creates stability in the society. Technology needs to be ingrained into the minds of students form an early age. They need to grow up with technology in order to accept them and to not become threatened. K-12 education thus plays a big role. Higher education must use the technology wisely to improve communication and lower costs. This continues the education of the next generation but also helps in increasing the use of technology. Businesses needs a more qualified workforce. Such a workforce is more productive leading to a more prosperous society.


 * Should it be a concern for instructional technologies?**

As discussed above, improving the ability to benefit from technology is key. Instructional technologies go a long way to closing the divide. It makes education more effective, promotes deeper understanding, improves communication, allows for longer retention and takes less time.


 * Have recent technologies helped to shrink or widen the gap?**

Instructional technologies have grown leaps and bounds in the past few years. Thinking back to the old days before the internet to today provides a stark contrast on productivity. The communication tools of today such as blogs and wikis did not exist till the last few years and their effect is staggering considering how much easier it is now to share information. Facebook is another excellent example. How easy is it now to locate friends and colleagues scattered all over the world from way back when? There is little doubt that technologies are shrinking the gap and making the technology more accessible. The ability to derive beneit is something different altogether. That comes with education and it is my belief that we have a long way to go. I see this on a daily basis with students in their 20s showing barely competent computer skills. These people are in danger of falling through the divide and they still lack the education to bring them up to speed.