Ethics & Policy Issues:

Two Examples

Acceptable Use Policies &

Plagiarism

Presenters

Iris Trask Joanne Stiles

November 14, 2002

Test Your Knowledge! True or False?

The University of Calgary has an Acceptable Use Policy

(AUP).

True or False?

The University of Calgary authorizes its members to use its computing and network facilities

to carry out academic, administrative or small business

activities.

True or False?

University of Calgary’s employees may monitor an

individual’s usage of a computing facility for

accounting, auditing or dating purposes.

True of False?

The University of Calgary does not guarantee

computing or network service will always be available when

required by the user.

True or False?

University of Calgary computer administrators will

remove access to public information if it violates

copyright law or licensing contracts.

True or False?In legal or ethical matters,

ignorance of policy will excuse a violation if the

individual agrees to study the Acceptable Use Policy

handbook and sign a contract.University of Calgary Computing and Networks Policyhttp://www.ucalgary.ca/it/policy/comp_policy.html

Technology Ethics involves…

proper use of Telecommunications dealing with moral judgments and issues of right and wrong

actions that do not have a damaging impact on self, others, society

organizations, like schools, usually develop standards for Telecommunications ethics, often called Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) which apply to students and staff

Ethical choices for students and adults… Does my use of the technology violate the privacy of

others or am I giving information to others that I should not?

Do my actions respect the property of others and am I taking the correct steps to keep my property safe?

Does this use of the technology have educational value and is it in keeping with the rules of my family, my church, my school and my government?

Source: Johnson, D. (1998). Ethical issues surrounding technology use in elementary schools. Available online: www.enhancelearning.ca

(Click on Teacher Resources – Legal & Ethical, then title)

Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.

2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.

3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's files.

4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.

5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.

6. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.

7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.

8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.

9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write or the system you design.

10. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration of and respect for your fellow humans.

Copyright: Computer Ethics Institute Author: Dr. Ramon C. Barquin

An Acceptable Use Policy… States context specific rules or guidelines for

acceptable use of Telecommunications equipment Applies to students, staff and those using the site

resources Is important for everyone to know and understand

these policies Includes limitations for use (ie what can and cannot

be downloaded) Is the responsibility of the administration to ensure

these are reviewed periodically for necessary updates as technology advances

Is critical for teachers/instructors to understand, teach and model the guidelines.

Board Policies Jamie McKenzie (1995) found many AUP’s in place in

schools, but few board policies were in place. McKenzie feels that board policies should: * tie standards of acceptable student behaviours to district policies on student rights and responsibilities * outline clear expectations for staff regarding controversial information, curriculum policies and selection of materials

* outline staff responsibilities and rights

“Ultimately, [board policies] must be resolved at a philosophical level by the board as representatives of community values.”

(Mackenzie, 1995, p.6)

Board Policies cont. A set of procedures are necessary detailing the methods of translating the

broad principles in board policy into practical school application.

Key questions to address in board policy Questions related to philosophical stance

i.e. What is the proper relationship between information and student

learning? Questions related to school/home responsibilities…

i.e. How much supervision do students require at various age levels? Questions related to staff responsibilities…

i.e. How is guidance different from censorship? Questions related to student responsibilities…

i.e. What constitutes responsible behaviour and communication?

Source: McKenzie, J (ed). (1995). Creating board policies for student use of the internet. Available online: http://www.fno.org/fnomay95.html

When developing policies, include statements which address the following…

• Philosophy statement

• Describe freedom & equality of access to the Net

• User responsibilities

• Respect privacy

• Usage guidelines (acceptable vs. unacceptable uses)

• Code of conduct, often termed “Netiquette”

• Administration of accounts

• Enforcement of policy & guidelines

• Consequences of improper use

• Security issues – who to report to

The Internet Policy Toolkithttp://www.nhste.org/membership/

intpol.html

Policy Evaluation Resource…

Self Assessment Questionnaire for Board of Education Members

http://edtech.connect.msu.edu/itec/PolicyCheck.htm

Additional Resources Computer Hacking and Ethics by Brian Harvey University of

California, Berkeley. Available online:http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~bh/hackers.html

A Very Short History of Computer Ethics by Terrell Bynum (interesting article). Available online:www.southernct.edu/organizations/rccs/resources/research/introduction/bynum_shrt_hist.html

Take an ethics quiz!!! Test yourself!!! University of Georgia’s Computer Security & Ethics Site Available online:www.uga.edu/compsec

(Click on Computer Ethics Quiz or check out one of the other links)

Plagiarism

Growing Problem?

Plagiarism is a growing problem as the Internet makes material more and more accessible to students.

Agree Disagree √ X

Social Environment

The competitiveness of our business culture is a major factor in academic dishonesty.

Agree Disagree √ X

Whose Responsibility?

It is important for each school/college/university to deal firmly with plagiarism/cheating to protect the reputation and credentials of its graduates.

Agree Disagree √ X

Plagiarism: What’s the Issue

Everyone can agree that it is wrong.

A serious problem, widely held to be growing with the Internet. Is it?

Evidence of Growth

Evidence seems inconclusive. More than half “cheat”. More than half always did.http://firstclass.wellesley.edu/~sparks/cs100/rp1.html

Media hype is at least partially responsible for perception of growth.

Internet and Plagiarism At minimum the Internet makes

plagiarism easier. Term paper services abound.

http://www.realpapers.com/http://papers4less.com/http://schoolsucks.com/

Legitimate access to research is also much easier.

What do we do?

Catch ‘em & punish ‘em. Make plagiarism a risky and less than worthwhile practice.

Educate students. Make cheating harder by the

nature of assignments.

Commercial Plagiarism Services

PROCEDURES How – Web crawler to search what

is out on the net. Text analysers that use algorithmic

calculations, “digital fingerprints” and databases of materials

Commercial Plagiarism Services

ISSUES Copyright violations of students’

copyright when papers are submitted to databases

Internet as corporate opportunity. (Eg. plagiarism.org which fronts for turnitin.com)

Cost – is this the best dollar value Cops & Robbers Emphasis

Educate

Many students are not aware of how to draw the line between research and plagiarism – especially at the high school and undergraduate level.

Open a dialogue Provide examples

Make it harder

Put an unusual spin on a topic. Assign something other than the

standard term paper. Have many, smaller assignments

Your Ideas???????

It’s Their Education

Determined cheaters will cheat! Plagiarists aren’t usually the best

students – even the bought paper doesn’t get them an “A”

We tell students that they get out what they put in. ‘Search & Destroy’ plagiarism detection is inconsistent.

References

Educational Approach – great strategies http://bedfordstmartins.com/technotes/techtiparchive/ttip102401.htm

U of A’s Guide – recommended by IP lawyer Lesley Ellen Harris http://www.library.ualberta.ca/guides/plagiarism/