Controversial and
Ethical issues related to using the Internet in the classroom
It looks
like this ‘Internet’ thing is here to stay. So we might as well embrace it and
start using it. But how? As we look for ways to bring the Internet
into the classroom and teach students how to use it, we must also be socially
responsible and address the ethical and controversial issues that come with
using these materials that we now have access to.
Brewster
(2010) tells us that the Internet Archive has just doubled the number of books
for the print-disabled, Coyle (2010) reports that C-Span is making its entire
archive available free and open and Cornell removed all restrictions on its
digital public domain holdings (Internetarchive 2009). The amount of data and material that we have
access to is multiplying at a dizzying rate.
Not all
ethics and controversy is related to the user interface side of the Internet.
On the flip-side, there are still issues being addressed with the content made
available on the Internet. An issue in the forefront is that of ‘orphan books’
(Peter 2009). Orphan books are those writings that do not have a known author.
The controversial issue surrounding these ‘orphan books’ is how they should be
copyrighted – if at all.
From the
user-interface side, sitting in front of a keyboard, as we come across data
that we find fascinating and useful, we must take the necessary precautions to
give the authors of these works their proper accolades and not use it in a way
as to present it as our own works, aka plagiarism.
Along with plagiarism,
there are copyright laws, and they DO apply to the Internet! You can’t assume that just because it’s on
the Internet, that you can snag it and make copies and distribute it. Educational Institutions should have Internet
usage policies to address copyright laws and have both parents and students
sign the form.
Many parents
are concerned about the privacy of their children. It is imperative that we
make known to even the youngest of Internet users, the fact that they should
NEVER give out personal information to ANYONE on the internet – that includes
filling any form that asks for your name, age, phone number or location. ‘Stranger
Danger’ and ‘Big Brother is watching’ take on a whole new meaning when dealing
with cyber-space.
Before a
student gets behind the wheel of a car, a student must study and practice the
rules of the road and pass a test in order to obtain a license – they have
proven that they have learned and retained information. Students in the classroom should have to go
through the same process in order to use the Internet – study appropriate usage
and ethics and pass a test before getting behind the keyboard of a computer
with a ‘license to surf’.
‘Ethically Surf without Controversy’
You have addressed some of important points as our use of Internet resources continues to shift. The recent SOPA issue showed that there are still many aspects to consider regarding the rights of using what we find online. There seems to be a growing trend toward encouraging sharing, contributing to and altering content - all of which can be very positive. Allowing the original creator a say regarding the extent of such use is an important advance. Your suggestions about guiding students through the use and evaluation of materials is key. Sharing and contributing are valuable - stealing is still stealing. It is important to make the distinction.
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