Internet/Intranet/e-mail
When using the Internet or an intranet
and performing professional duties as an educator, educators:
3.1 shall promote and encourage the
appropriate use of the Internet.
Rationale:
"The World Wide Web is a tool that empowers
society to school the illiterate, bring job training to the unskilled,
open a universe of wondrous images and knowledge to all students, and enrich
the understanding of the lifelong learner." 1
The desire for the respect and confidence
of one's colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the members of the
community provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible
degree of ethical conduct. 2
The education profession is vested by the
public with trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional
service. 3
3.2 shall use the Internet(WWW, Email,
FTP, Telnet)/intranet for educational purposes.
Rationale:
Educators must provide the tools students
will need for the 21st century, maintain integrity, and act
like professionals.
Internet can enhance education by allowing
students to "easily tap data and expertise from around the world." 4
3.3 shall not use the Internet/Intranet
for financial or commercial gain, illegal activity, discrimination or for
viewing, posting or transferring libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic
or otherwise illegal material.
Rationale:
School should be a place that provides
students with the opportunity to learn free from distraction.
Most students that will be in your classroom
will be under the age of 18, therefore it's neither ethical nor legal for
them to view pornographic material.
You should have all facts before passing
judgment and making statements about someone.
In some instances a website that falls
into one of these categories may have some educational value; in this case
an educator must provide proof of how this site pertains to the lesson
and the value it has to the learning process.
3.4 shall refrain from acts that waste
resources or prevent others from using them.
Rationale:
Educators and students should have equitable
access.
Educators do not want to hinder the learning
process.
3.5 shall provide students with instructions
on how to stay, to some extent, safe online.
Rationale:
Educators are looking out for the best
interests of the students.
Educators have a responsibility to students,
parents, and the public to provide the best education possible, and in
a safe environment.
3.6 shall regularly check links on any
website the educator creates or maintains to ensure the links don't conflict
with code 3.3.
Rationale :
Educators are looking out for the best
interests of the students.
This is necessary to maintain the integrity
of the websites created or maintained by the educator.
Websites continually undergo changes and
to maintain compliance with this code, links must be checked.
References:
1 "The Power of the Internet
for Learning," Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/offices/AC/WBEC/FinalReport/WBECReport.pdf
2 National Education Association,
Code of Ethics http://www.nea.org/aboutnea/code.html
3 National Education Association,
Code of Ethics http://www.nea.org/aboutnea/code.html
4 Learn & Live, The George
Lucas Educational Foundation; 64-65.
Ethics
Homepage