"To ensure that there is no questionable material on a single system, a school would have to either have no links to other systems (eliminating the need for Internet access) or make sure that everyone in the world agrees to keep questionable material out of their systems..." Clancy J. Wolf. "Developing a School or District 'Acceptable Use Policy' for Student and Staff Access to the Internet."

Computer technology has become so widespread that it has changed most aspects of our lives. Because of the newness of the technology and the rapidity of these changes, we may frequently find ourselves in unprecedented ethical situations. How can we be aware when an ethical issue involving technology arises? How can we decide the right course of action when confronted with these often murky issues? How do we teach students--and ourselves--the proper way to behave? Developing a code of ethics is an important step in answering these questions.

As educators, we have a responsibility to teach our students not only the content areas prescribed by our various districts, but also how to be good citizens of a democracy. Because technology is fundamentally changing the ways we relate to others, it is crucial that our social education include guidelines for relating to others through technological means, and that these guidelines emphasize the fundamental and legal rights that each person has. These fundamental rights include the ethical treatment of others when using technology as a means to communicate, locate information, and publish information on the Internet. Technology can be a powerful tool for good and ill, and because of this, educators need to be aware of their responsibility to supervise and guide their students in computer technology use.

Because most of us are employees of public school districts, we should recognize the fundamental goal of the district's internet access is limited to educational endeavors. The relationship between the employer and employees, the district and their students, influences how students and teachers use the internet in these settings, and frequently, the relationship is formalized when the student or staff member signs a district's Authorized Use Policy. It is important to note, however, that a code of ethics may, in many instances, be at odds with a district's Authorized Use Policy. It is our hope that a code of computer ethics for educators can can help in the creation of an Authorized Use Policy for a district or serve as a catalyst for the revision of a preexisting AUP.

The State of Illinois, (http://www.isbe.net/profdevelopment/PDFs/tecstandards.pdf) has provided a framework for the development of a code of conduct in its Core Technology Standards for All Teachers. Standards Two and Four have been especially helpful in the development of our code.

"Standard Two: Personal and Professional Use of Technology:

The competent teacher will apply tools for enhancing personal and professional growth and productivity: will use technology in communicating, collaborating, conducting research and solving problems and will promote equitable ethical and legal use of computer/technology resources.

Standard Four: Social, Ethical and Human Issues:

The competent teacher will apply concepts and skills in making decisions concerning the social, ethical and human issues related to computing and technology. The competent teacher will understand the changes in information technologies, their effects on workplace and society, their potential to address lifelong learning and workplace needs, and the consequences of misuse."