Social, Ethical, and Technological Issues in the Classroom


Questionable Practices Legal Ethical/Social Health Safety Security Privacy
1. loads copy of software with single-user license on 22 computers x x        
2. allows students to use information without citing the source x x        
3. assigns boy to operate the computer and girl to take notes   x        
4. encourages students to copy graphics and text from the internet x x        
5. trusts students not to access other folders on the shared drive         x x
6. allows students to view her gradebook   x       x
7. students cannot see their computers due to glare     x      
8. students view a music video website   x        
9. students leave without logging out         x x
10. monitor nearly falls     x x    
11. wheelchair-bound student cannot find a workstation x x   x    
12. student opens work without virus scan         x  


Ms. Jones acted in an extremely unethical as well as illegal manner when she copied software of which she purchased only one license onto 22 different computers. The proper way to prepare for this task would be to ask the principal for funding to buy 22 copies of the software so each student can have a copy at his or her station, or to have the students rotate and use the one computer that legally has the software in groups. She is setting a bad example for the students by breaking the law. The students will think its okay to pirate software and even music. They may even get the idea that it is okay to steal as long as you do not get caught. Plus, it will be hard for Ms. Jones to enforce discipline in the classroom when it comes to stealing because the children will just say that they learned it from her. Basically, she is committing theft. This is no different than going to the grocery store and walking out with a chicken. Somebody worked hard to create this software and they deserve to be paid for their labor. It is not fair to starve the children of the software designer just because it is more convenient to buy one copy of the program. If everybody pirated software and nobody actually bought it from the store, then programmers would have no motivation or incentive to create new products. We would miss out on so much innovative new technology and programs because nobody could make a living from programming. If this program is so useful, Ms. Jones should buy the proper number of copies so that she can show her support. If she buys more from this company, the company will have enough capital to develop new and improved software. When they come out with new programs, Ms. Jones can use them in their class. This will make her a more effective teacher and it will help out her students who are struggling through the usual methods of learning. If the school district repeatedly buys software from the same company, they may be eligible for a discount some time down the line. If they are looking for another way to offset the high costs of software, some companies offer partnerships with schools that allow teachers to buy materials at a lower price than the general public. Organizations or individuals in the community may be interested in donating money to help buy the necessary software for the children. Also, Ms. Jones might hurt the entire school system by her actions. The company that publishes the software can sue the school district. They could lose a lot of money and receive a lot of embarrassing media coverage. Not only would the students in the school district lose resources and thus have a worse educational experience due to the loss of money, but Ms. Jones would certainly be fired for her mistake. The school system might personally hold her accountable for the lost money. Furthermore, if Ms. Jones is not technologically savvy, she may harm the computers while trying to illegally install the software because there are not official instructions. In conclusion, Ms. Jones is making a big mistake and would be better off doing the legally and ethically right thing: buying 22 copies of the software.
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