Computer Ethics: Information for Teachers


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Information for Teachers No computer science curriculum should lack a focus on computer ethics. Middle school and high school students have increasing access to courses which teach skills such as programming and applications use. However, many of these courses do not provide an introduction to issues in computer ethics. This is unfortunate, because it is precisely at this time - when young students are beginning to explore computers and the Internet - that they should receive at least some knowledge of what is happening as ethics intersect with technology. The AP Computer Science course description requires that the following topics be taught: Privacy Legal issues and intellectual property Social and ethical ramifications of computer use This site attempts to address these issues, and we hope it will be utilized in the classroom. We have written the first five sections. In addition, we have invited computer ethics organizations to post additional content. There are three interactive activites to play with, as well as a message board and list of links. The content of the siteis searchable. If you wish to incorporate this site into a computer ethics lesson, you may teach any or all of it yourself. Or, if you'd like the students to browse the site themselves, you can optionally have them create accounts. The accounts will keep track of the students' progress through the first five sections, require them to complete all three activities, and present them with a certificate upon completion. You can ask them to show you their certificate and be sure that they have seen everything. For more information on user accounts, visit the accounts page. Your feedback as an educator is always appreciated. You can post a message to us here. We hope that Computer Ethics proves useful. Back to Computer Ethics home

Information for Teachers

No computer science curriculum should lack a focus on computer ethics. Middle school and high school students have increasing access to courses which teach skills such as programming and applications use. However, many of these courses do not provide an introduction to issues in computer ethics. This is unfortunate, because it is precisely at this time - when young students are beginning to explore computers and the Internet - that they should receive at least some knowledge of what is happening as ethics intersect with technology.

The AP Computer Science course description requires that the following topics be taught:

Privacy
Legal issues and intellectual property
Social and ethical ramifications of computer use

This site attempts to address these issues, and we hope it will be utilized in the classroom. We have written the first five sections. In addition, we have invited computer ethics organizations to post additional content. There are three interactive activites to play with, as well as a message board and list of links. The content of the siteis searchable.

If you wish to incorporate this site into a computer ethics lesson, you may teach any or all of it yourself. Or, if you'd like the students to browse the site themselves, you can optionally have them create accounts. The accounts will keep track of the students' progress through the first five sections, require them to complete all three activities, and present them with a certificate upon completion. You can ask them to show you their certificate and be sure that they have seen everything. For more information on user accounts, visit the accounts page.

Your feedback as an educator is always appreciated. You can post a message to us here. We hope that Computer Ethics proves useful.

Back to Computer Ethics home