Paper+Outline

Teaching the Importance of "Netiquette": The Ethical Implications of Emergent Technology

The "spark" for this paper was the case of Natalie Munroe, a PA teacher who was suspended for her online blogging and comments about students in her district: [] []

Similar issues in the utilization of emergent technology in the personal/professional technology have also given way to discussion on what is okay, appropriate, and ethical:

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 * Problem Statement**: With the constant evolution of technology in both our personal and professional lives, it is often difficult to ensure that the lines aren't "blurred" as we strive to use this technology within the parameters of evolving ethical boundaries. As educators we are held to a "higher standard" for our behaviors. As we try to navigate these technological ethics for ourselves, we must also figure out how to teach our students what they need to know to practice good "netiquette" and be ethical contributers to the virtual world, as well.

Source: **Virutal teamwork: students studying about ethics in an online environment** by Wan Ng
 * //Sources and key quotes/citations://**

"The fundamental concepts of ethics: value, obligation, and responsibility are what many of us use in ou everyday decision-making on issues that affect our lives." "We live in a society greatly influenced by science and technology...students [must] explore the relationship between science/technology and society by examining the role of society in influencing scientific and technological changes and the impact of these changes in shaping society." "It is crucial that students develop an understanding of the ethical issues arising out of these advancements in order to be able to critically analyze issues and assess their impacts on society." "The study of ethics is a philosophical study of morality and involves concepts of right and wrong behavior (as cited by Fieser 2006). Some of the underlying principles of ethical actions include no harm is caused to others, no deception is conducted, acknowledging a person's right to life, privacy, and safety, and acknowledging a person's freedom of choice over his/her actions.

Source: **Classroom Strategies for Teaching Ethics** by Sharon Smaldino

"Tackling a course in professional standards and ethical practice in instructional technology is a daunting task indeed. Why bother with such a course? What is the value of such a topic within an already crowded program of study?...Many questions exist regarding this topic, with few direct answers." "[State regulations being aligned with integrating technology into the curriculum] is a slippery slope akin to one of my favorite book titles about technology, //Nailing Jelly to a Tree.// Where to begin and what to do?" "Standards include a balance between knowledge and skills that can be used as a professional guide for schools to effectively integrate technology in support of student learning. Such a school employee balances the need for specific skills to assist technology-supported teachers with the educational benefits realized from bringing technology into the learning setting for children." "Examining state standards relative to [our] professional standards and ethical practice...offers direction on where to being: (1) identifies strategies for using technology with diverese populations, (2) identifies professional resources that support the field of education computing, (3) designs methods for teaching social, ethical, and legal issues, (4) identifies research related to human and equity issues, (5) develops ethical procedures for maintaining software libraries, and (6) identifies assistive technology for teachers and students with specail needs." "The one area that has focused on ethical considerations is the field of computer science. Moor (as cited in Tavani 2007) suggests in a book on ethics and technology written for CS students the t the 'computer/information revolution has changed our lives and brought with it significant ethical, social, and professional issues'. He further sugges that constant changes within the world of technology continue to challenge professionals in their daily practice." "Spinnello (2003) identifies the growth of the Web and the Internet as factors that have influenced the need for study in areas of privacy, free speech, and intellectual property." "Johnson (2000) suggests that much of what professionals encounter in their daily practice is part of what she terms ordinary ethics. She proposes that the need for such study will decline and eventually disappear...as educators become better able to integrate technology into their teaching. They will no longer need to overtly address the ethical issues as they assume an ethical posture in their practice." "A compounding factor in determining the need for including an ethical framework is the rapid growth and expansion of technolgy with every new iteration of technology advancement." "The topic of ethics is broader and deeper than most professionals recognize."

Source**: The Empty Cup (Power Teaching in a Digital Age**) by Jerry E. Fluellen, Jr.

"But unlike apprenticeship, which kept teaching for understanding relatively pure, public education in our nation fractured into a two-tiered system of education. Teaching for understanding took a twist. On the one hand, a few students experienced the historical trend of teaching for understanding akin to apprenticeship, The most gifted students were taught well. On the other hand, many other students were educatored for the factory floor or the military field. They were taught to recall and obey." "Information literacy serves as the next level in the future of the learning factor...but more broadly speaking, many civilizations had a few people who could read, do numbers, and write using the technology of the times to share knowledge. In the last years of the 20th Century, it became evident that the masses of people needed to become information literate...the nation needs people who can locate, evaluate, and create information." "It is already hard to imagine how a world-class public education system could not develop disciplinary minds, synthesizing minds, creating minds, respectufl minds, and ethical minds." "The respecful and ethical minds are more on the equally valuable social side. In a world of high immigration, respecting people different from self is critical in the workplace, school, and neighborhood. As a rule, the ethical mind requires treating well the people you see every day. Though difficult to acheive, solutions to ethcial problems advance the interests of others."

Source: **Teacher-created, Teacher-centered Weblogs: Perceptions and Practices** by Beverly B. Ray and Martha M. Hocutt

"According to Kennedy (2003) blogs are 'part Website, part journal, part free-form writing spaces that have the potential to enhance writing and literacy skills while offering a uniquely stylized form of expression." "The use of blogs by K-12 teachers is a relatively new phenomenon." "Research reported by Huffaker (2004) suggests that 'blogging' promotes critical literacy skills, including reading, writing, self-expression, reflection, and creativity." "According to Darlington-Hammong (1996), most teachers receive little or no feedback from their peers about the effectiveness of their instructional activities. However, Weblogs can provide and electronic forum for reading, writing, and collaborating with peers and others...students and insructors can use blogs to cultivate ideas and share them online with colleagues and friends." "Bloggers choose to identify themselves in several ways. Most bloggers provide some sort of identifier, whether it is a full name, a first name, or an alias." "[Bloggers] wrote about the importance of peer communication and social interaction while blogging, including: //sharing of ideas, addressing issues of professional concern, overcoming geographic or personal isolation, and venting of frustration//." "[Bloggers] were also asked to identify professional concerns related to blogging. [They] specifically cited privacy as their primary concern. Issues as whether they were in violation of school or district policy were addressed, as were the need to avoid being "outed" by students, parents, or administrators." "Blogs also can provide and anonymous forum for educators to express their concerns and vent frustrations about the issues and events they encounter in the educational environment. The majority of [bloggers] used their blogs in this manner. In fact, a few mistakenly //perceived// that they were venting in a totally safe environment...[however], the majority were aware that they were creating a permanent record of ideas, observation, inferences, and emotions that is accessible to others." "Guidelines for Educational Bloggers: (1) Avoid using the real names of students, colleagues, etc., (2) Think before you type, (3) Avoid blogging from school, (4) Avoid violation of US copyright law, (5) Avoid use of school district identifiers, (6) Avoid using your school email, (7) Avoid posting student work, and (8) read your local AUP and Internet Use Policy"

Source: [] Cyber Journalist

"Integrity is the cornerstone of credibility."
 * Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
 * Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect.
 * Be Accountable