Day 9: Legal and Ethical Concerns - Part 2

Learning Objectives

• IOC-1.H: Explain how the use of computing can raise legal and ethical concerns.

Essential Questions

• How do we navigate complex ethical dilemmas in computing?
• How do different stakeholders approach ethical issues differently?
• What emerging ethical issues are arising from new technologies?

Materials Needed

• Presentation slides on ethical dilemmas in computing
• Role-playing scenario cards
• Stakeholder perspective worksheets
• Position paper guidelines
• Exit ticket templates

Vocabulary

• Ethical dilemma
• Stakeholder
• Moral agency
• Professional ethics
• Code of conduct
• Ethical reasoning
• Moral responsibility
• Technological determinism
• Value alignment
• Ethical design

Procedure (50 minutes)

Opening (8 minutes)

1. Review and Connection (3 minutes)

   • Review legal frameworks and ethical decision-making from previous lesson
   • Connect to today's focus on deeper ethical dilemmas and stakeholder perspectives

2. Warm-up Activity (5 minutes)

   • Present an ethical dilemma in computing with no clear answer
   • Ask students to privately write their initial response
   • Take a quick poll of the class to see the distribution of opinions
   • Introduce the idea that ethical issues often involve competing values

Main Activities (32 minutes)

3. Deeper Exploration: Ethical Dilemmas in Computing (12 minutes)

   • Present several complex ethical dilemmas in computing:
     • Algorithmic decision-making and bias
     • Privacy vs. security trade-offs
     • Automation and job displacement
     • Content moderation and free speech
     • Accessibility vs. innovation pace
     • Digital addiction and design ethics
   • For each dilemma, analyze:
     • Core ethical tensions and competing values
     • Different perspectives on the issue
     • Potential consequences of different approaches
     • How context affects ethical judgments
   • Discuss how these dilemmas resist simple solutions
   • Explain frameworks for navigating ethical complexity:
     • Balancing competing values
     • Considering short and long-term consequences
     • Applying principles consistently
     • Respecting autonomy while preventing harm

4. Role-Playing Exercise: Different Stakeholder Perspectives (10 minutes)

   • Divide class into groups of 4-5 students
   • Assign each group an ethical scenario in computing
   • Within each group, assign different stakeholder roles:
     • Technology developer
     • Business executive
     • Government regulator
     • Consumer/user
     • Community advocate
     • Other relevant stakeholders
   • Students research and adopt their stakeholder's likely perspective
   • Groups conduct a structured discussion from their stakeholder perspectives
   • Groups identify areas of agreement and disagreement
   • Share key insights with the whole class

5. Discussion: Professional Ethics in Computing Fields (10 minutes)

   • Introduce professional ethics in computing:
     • ACM Code of Ethics
     • IEEE Code of Ethics
     • Company-specific ethical guidelines
     • Professional responsibilities
   • Discuss ethical obligations of computing professionals:
     • Considering societal impacts
     • Transparency about capabilities and limitations
     • Avoiding harm
     • Respecting privacy and confidentiality
     • Honesty about risks
   • Analyze real-world examples of ethical decision-making by professionals
   • Discuss the challenges of applying ethical principles in practice

Closing (10 minutes)

6. Analysis: Emerging Ethical Issues with New Technologies (5 minutes)

   • Discuss emerging ethical issues with technologies like:
     • Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems
     • Facial recognition and biometric data
     • Virtual and augmented reality
     • Brain-computer interfaces
     • Genetic engineering and computing
   • Consider how existing ethical frameworks may need to evolve
   • Discuss the importance of proactive ethical consideration
   • Emphasize that ethical thinking must keep pace with technological change

7. Exit Ticket: Position Paper (5 minutes)

   • Students begin writing a position paper on an ethical computing issue
   • Paper should include:
     • Clear statement of the ethical issue
     • Analysis of different perspectives
     • Application of ethical frameworks
     • Personal position with justification
   • Students will complete the paper as homework
   • Collect initial drafts before students leave

Assessment

• Formative: Quality of participation in role-playing and discussions
• Exit Ticket: Depth of analysis in position paper draft

Differentiation

For Advanced Students

• Ask them to incorporate philosophical ethical theories
• Have them research and analyze professional ethics cases
• Challenge them to develop ethical guidelines for a new technology

For Struggling Students

• Provide more structured templates for ethical analysis
• Focus on more concrete ethical scenarios
• Offer additional guidance on stakeholder perspectives

Homework/Extension

• Complete the position paper on an ethical computing issue
• Research a professional organization's code of ethics
• Analyze an emerging technology for potential ethical concerns

Teacher Notes

• Maintain a respectful environment for discussing potentially divisive issues
• Emphasize critical thinking rather than specific ethical conclusions
• Make connections to students' experiences as technology users
• Consider discussing how ethical standards have evolved over time
• Remind students that ethical reasoning is a skill that improves with practice