Ethical Framework

As education spans and technology becomes widely available it is necessary to have an effective ethical framework in place. The online classroom, as it relatively differs from the traditional classroom, relies nearly entirely on the technologically connected process. Remote Teaching Ethical Framework.

Additionally, the new waves of students technologically literate require clear ethical guidelines in order to receive an uncontaminated education and avoid ethical confusions.

For instance, considering ethical realities generally relative, it is always important to establish ethical guidelines through a framework, while highlighting the most important factors on a consistent basis. For example, every American Military University syllabus heavily highlights the zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism. Yet, ethical code is not limited to the students, educators have to behold accountable as well.

Hence, teachers “Shall not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning” (NEA, 2005). Ultimately, an ethical framework offers the students and staff a clear path to ethically benefiting from the numerous technology resources available in the classroom.

Code of Ethics

• Students and staff are responsible for making sure they are not using any copyrighted materials.
• It is your responsibility not to plagiarize either intentionally or unintentionally.
• It is your responsibility to adhere to the fair and appropriate use policy when using online resources in the classroom.
• Students’ and teachers’ privacy should always be respected.
• Classroom technology should always be, reasonably, sue for the learning experience and never for personal gain.

Ethical and technology literacy

This institution is responsible for promoting ethical literacy as it pertains to fair use, appropriate use, plagiarism, privacy concerns, ethical factors, as well as content ownership.

However, is it also the responsibility of all staff members to adhere to the code of ethics. Educators must adhere to the institution and maintain a reasonable level of online ethical literacy. Educators must “Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources (ISTE, 2008).”

Hence, in the process of becoming technologically literate, teachers are able to offer the students a clear path to technology success without relying upon, and effectively integrating fair use, appropriate use, and proper accreditation.

Privacy

Privacy is one of the most concerning issues in the modern, connected classroom. the privacy of both students and staff is crucial in the online classroom. It is strictly prohibited to share personal information of students and staff under FERPA, CIPA, as well illustrated by other state and federal laws.

Therefore, “Actions that violate the privacy of students include posting students’ names, classwork, or pictures on a school Web site” (CBSNEWS, 2014). Hence, in addition to the privacy of students, the privacy of staff members is of crucial importance.

Is it inappropriate and unethical to post a graded assignment online publically displaying the instructors’ names? Also, it is unethical to obtain teachers’ personal information for the purpose of cyberbullying of any kind, including but not limited to; cyber stalking, harassment, in an effort to cause personal stress, or for any other reason whatsoever.

Possible penalties

Students and staff are expected to adhere to the code of ethics in the classroom, in the process of technology integration. Plagiarism is punishable by expulsion after several offenses. However, it is rather determined by the individual instructor whether plagiarism took place, based on the various interactions to determine the difference in writing and research.

In addition to plagiarism, students are responsible, as stated on the code of ethics, to determined based on their own judgment and ethical expectancy, whether they are adhering to the fair use and appropriate use policies in the assignment. Any violation of copyrighted materials may be punishable by point reduction on such assignment.

Conclusion

An ethical framework that lays the ground for appropriate and inappropriate online behavior is crucial to any educational setting, online and the traditional classroom. educators as well as students have to be familiar with traditional online policies such as fair and appropriate use in an effort to develop effective works without violating any copyright materials.

Students have to always be aware of the information they integrate into their assignments and credit anyone for any information regardless of how much information is used. For instance, students have to provide proper accreditation for one sentence or five sentences in an effort to abide by ethical expectancies.

References

CBSNEWS. (2014). How to defend your privacy online. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-defend-your-privacy-online/

Coleman, P. D. (2011). Ethics, Online Learning and Stakeholder Responsibility for a Code of Conduct in Higher Education. Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning.

ISTE. (2008). ISTE Standards. Arlington: the International Society for Technology Education.

Jaszi, P. (2015). Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Online Video. Retrieved from CMSI: http://cmsimpact.org/code/code-best-practices-fair-use-online-video/

Kehrwald, B. (2008). Distance Education. Understanding social presence in text-based online environments, 18.

NEA. (2005). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from NEA: http://www.nea.org/home/30442.htm

Rudestam, K. E., & Schoenholtz-Read, J. (2009). Handbook of Online Learning. SAGE Kindle Edition.

Velasquez, M., & Moberg, D. (2009, 05). A Framework for Ethical Decision Making. Retrieved from scu.edu: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making/