CODE OF ETHICS
Preamble
Technology is becoming infused in life and
the functionality technologies bring to home, school, and office environments
are now often taken for granted. Proper operation, support, understanding, and
integrity of technologies are regarded as being important and sometimes
suspect. Recognizing the effect technology has on education, the workplace and
our quality of life, educators acknowledge the need for a clearly stated code
of ethics. The educator further recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility
inherent in integrating technologies into the educational process. Essential to
these goals is the guarantee of equal technology access for educational
opportunities for all in order to improve the understanding of technology, its
appropriate application, and potential consequences.
This Code of Ethics is a working document
that will evolve as technologies evolve and a need for editing of principles
and/or guidelines becomes apparent. The Code consists of six (6) principles of
personal responsibility, as well as a guide to Compliance and Professional Responsibilities.
I. Contribute to society and human well-being
III. Be honest and trustworthy
IV. Be fair and take action not to discriminate
VI. Respect confidentiality and privacy
Each of the six principles is supported by a
rationale and includes guidelines for issues professionals are likely to
encounter. The guidelines provide directions to assist professionals in dealing
with issues they may face within each principle contained in this Code.
Professionals must be aware that there will be issues faced, fitting into one
or more of the six principles, which guidelines have not been developed for.
For this reason, the guidelines included are not all inclusive.
This Code of Ethics, with the six principles,
rationale, and guidelines, has been formulated to serve as a basis for ethical
decision-making in the utilization of technology by the educational
professional. In addition, the Code may provide support for evaluating the
merits of new technologies, formal complaints pertaining to violation of
professional ethical standards, and provide for ethical guidelines in
implementing technology in an educational setting and implementation of this
Code.
Within a Code of Ethics, some words and
phrases may be subjected to varying interpretations. The principles, rationale,
or guidelines may conflict with other ethical principles in specific
circumstances and in some instances where questions arise, answers can be
developed through thoughtful consideration of fundamental principles or
assistance in answering may be sought through an appropriate review board
governing this Code of Ethics. Educational professionals may choose to not rely
on detailed regulations when these special circumstances arise.
Definitions
Code of Ethics: set of codified guidelines for ethical directions
which act as standards to enhance professionalism and image of the professional
and which can establish a baseline for addressing more complex issues. The code
is not a set of enforceable laws.
Computing facility: refers to forms of computer-related equipment,
tools and intellectual property, including computer systems, personal computers
and computer networks, as well as all forms of software and applications.
Objectionable information: violent, hateful, pornographic, lewd, or obscene
drawings, pictures, graphics, or text.
Educational Setting: Any location where learning is taking place in a
formalized setting.
Flaming: practice of transmitting rude, lewd, or insulting
remarks via e-mail.
Plagiarism: copying the work, ideas, or writing of other people
without quoting them, crediting them, or referencing them as the source of the
information.
Property: includes things we cannot physically hold, such as
electronic information, like data, files, and software programs, which existing
as electronic code on a computer memory medium such as a hard drive, CD, or
floppy disc.
Technologies: hardware, software, technical advances in industry,
information-processing machines
CODE OF ETHICS
I. Contribute to society
and human well being
II. Avoid intentional harm
to others
III. Be honest and
trustworthy
1. Do not, copy, alter, examine, or destroy anyone
else's personal files without explicit permission from the appropriate
authority. Specifically, the practice of 'hacking' into a computer system in
order to see restricted files is forbidden.
2.
Students are to be instructed in the meaning of
plagiarism, and the proper and accepted method of quoting an author by
crediting the source of the material. It is the educator’s responsibility to
instruct students on the proper usage of publications, proprietary, or
confidential information.
3.
Respect and enforce intellectual property rights as
they pertain to technologies, which include copyrighted material, software,
CDs, and other copyrighted files such as MP3's. You may not give, lend, or sell
copies of software to others unless written permission of the copyright owner is
clearly identified.
4.
Observe the fair use doctrine within the AUP, and
do not steal, misappropriate, or misuse the personal identity of other people,
their authorization codes, long distance telephone services, or the property
and physical equipment of
other people.
VI. Respect confidentiality and privacy ·
Uphold and promote the
principles of the code contained within this document ·
Review boards monitoring
the Code of Ethics for Technology Use in Education shall establish rule of
procedure with the majority approval of colleagues. ·
Educational
professionals should accept that this Technology Code of Ethics for Education
Professionals is ideal and may not all be achievable, at all times, within all
circumstances. In practice, an educator may find times where some codes
conflict with other codes, including codes from other sources or district
policies. When this occasion arises, the educator must weigh the circumstances
and decide to act in a manner that is most consistent with the Technology Code
of Ethics for Education. Adhere to the Technology Code of Ethics for Education
Professionals keeping in mind the NEA Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. ·
The educator shall not
accept any gratuity, gift, or favor that might impair or appear to influence
professional decisions or action in relation to use of technologies. We live in a technological age, which gives
people access to information from around the globe. Obviously, only a portion
of the information available to society is deemed appropriate for use in an
educational environment. Educators have a responsibility to instruct students
on proper internet etiquette, good judgment in selection of developmentally
appropriate sites, materials and activities. Likewise, educators have a
responsibility to students, families, the profession and society to conduct themselves
in a professional, caring manner at all times. This code of ethics for
technology can serve as an operational guideline for which teaching
professionals can honor and follow. Any deviation of conduct as outlined within
this code, would be considered unprofessional and subject to board review
procedures with consensus approval (refer to second bulleted item above). Thus, such
procedures could constitute the following: termination of technological use,
restriction of future access and/or enforceable by law. Other examples of
unprofessional conduct would involve harm to student welfare, evidence of
intentional malice, serious incompetence, bad judgment and/or show a consistent
pattern of misconduct. By no means is this an exhaustive list of any and all
acts nor does the code adequately address the hardship of consistent monitoring
however, the quality and integrity of the profession rests upon the code of
conduct and will be reflected in the students we prepare for the society of
tomorrow. ·
Maintain and increase
professional competence through a program of continuing education encompassing
the techniques, technical standards, and practices in your field. ·
Encourage professional
development and advancement of colleagues and students. ·
Assist colleagues in
obtaining quality in both the process and products of professional work
utilizing technology. ·
Keep abreast of
relevant new technologies. ·
The educator will not
misrepresent his/her technological qualifications or qualifications of
colleagues. Conclusion Educators have a profound affect on the
current and lasting social and ethical issues relating to technologies. The
education profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility
requiring the highest ideals of technology use within education for the long-term
benefits of the student. The quality with which educators admit, acquire, and
utilize technologies within educational settings help each student realize his
or her potential as a worthy, effective member of a technological,
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