Module 8: Ethical Issues

It's common knowledge that not all content on the internet is appropriate to be accessed by all age groups, particularly student-aged people and within a school environment. Teachers are able to actively block websites that contain inappropriate content on classroom computers. However, with increasing uptake of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs within schools, it is difficult to restrict websites that students access on their personal devices. 
Monitoring students access to websites is a commonly cited concern of teachers when it comes to BYOD programs and technology integration within the classroom. There is no control of negative information and so there is a need to prevent students accessing dangerous sites. There is also concern of students not focusing on the prescribed task, instead navigating to parts of the internet not relevant to schooling. Teachers can attempt to keep students on task by choosing sites for them to access and guiding them with navigation around these sites as well as monitoring their online activities (Davison, 2005).
As already mentioned, a strategy for dealing with access of inappropriate or distracting sites is to block access to such sites. A report funded by the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (Hendrick, 2009) found that 86% of schools in Australia block Facebook, 57% block YouTube and 14% block Wikipedia. Some educators say, however, that this shuts down the positive educational opportunities that social media can offer. Some argue, instead, that the best way for students to be protected against inappropriate access is to educate them on safe and effective uses of the internet.
There are other possible measures that can be taken to ensure that students practise safe and appropriate online behaviours. Teachers should assist students in identifying boundaries, using hypothetical situations, for instance, to encourage students to think about boundaries of what is acceptable in a variety of scenarios. Rather than focusing exclusively on negative aspects of internet use, appropriate use should be encouraged (Victoria State Government, 2017). 
Schools have policies and consequences in place for unacceptable behaviour in terms of internet access. Students should be made explicitly aware of these policies and if an incident occurs, the consequences set out should be followed through. Often students aren't aware that their search history is stored, not only on the computer they are using, but on worldwide servers and this information can never be fully erased. This isn't information to use a fear tactic but a consequence that students should be aware of (Victoria State Government, 2017). 

References 
Davison, C. (2005). Information Technology and Integration in Language Education. Hong Kong University Press. 
Hendrick, J. (2009). Web 2.0 site blocking in schools. Retrieved from http://apo.org.au/node/19971
Victoria State Government. (2017). Inappropriate Content. Retrieved from http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/adviceinappropriatecontent.aspx


Comments

  1. Unknown25 September 2017 at 04:58

    Hi Lauren,

    Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) does have its positives as well as its negatives when it comes to accessing the internet. I too believe that students who are using web based learning materials should be aware of the negatives but also the positive outcomes. Allocating time to discuss the outcomes as well as school policies before undergoing lessons can minimise or eliminate the bad use of the internet. This ethical issue is becoming more evident as the younger generation of teachers are cycling through the educational world. Thankfully for this subject, we are able to understand the ethical issues associated with technology in the classroom.

    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown27 September 2017 at 16:24

    Hi Lauren,

    I am a huge supporter of a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) learning environment, however, I do understand the negative that are involved with incorporating this system. I agree that students need to develop an awareness of the risks that are associated with the use of technology, and Edwards et al (2016) highlights this by identifying the rapid increase in children between the ages of 4-5 using technology.

    In comparing my university experience where it is a BYOD environment, to my high school experience where we were not allowed to bring our own technology I felt more comfortable learning on my own device. As technology becomes more and more involved, schools and the education system will become more at risk of ethical and social issues, however it is the role of the state and federal government to support schools through this change. Margaret Merga (2016) highlights that there is even health risks associated with a BYOD approach to teaching and learning, and speaks about poor posture and lack of sleep that students are likely to be exposed to.

    References:
    Edwards, S., Nolan, A., Henderson, M., Mantilla, A., Plowman, L. and Skouteris, H. (2016), Young children's everyday concepts of the internet: A platform for cyber-safety education in the early years. Br J Educ Technol. doi:10.1111/bjet.12529

    Merga, Margaret K. "‘Bring Your Own Device’: Considering Potential Risks To Student Health." Health Education Journal 75.4 (2015): 464-473. Web. 10 Sept. 2017.

    ReplyDelete

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