ISTE Ethics

Informatics Research Institute

International Society for Technology in Education

"Providing leadership and service to improve teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in education."

ISTE is a nonprofit professional organization with a worldwide membership of leaders and potential leaders in educational technology. We are dedicated to providing leadership and service to improve teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in K–12 education and teacher education. We provide our members with information, networking opportunities, and guidance as they face the challenge of incorporating computers, the Internet, and other new technologies into their schools.

ISTE Ethical Code for Computer-Using Educators

Principle I. Curriculum Issues – I have some responsibility for defining the roles of computers in the school curriculum and for assessing significant and likely intended and unintended consequences of those roles....

Principle II. Computer Access – I support and encourage policies that extend equitable computer access to all students, and I will actively support well-reasoned programs and policies that promote such use....

Principle III. Privacy/Confidentiality – I have varying degrees of responsibility for the development of policy that guarantees the proper use of computerized and non-computerized information in the school’s possession....

Principle IV. Teacher-Related Issues – In order to redefine the teacher’s role in light of the integration of computers into classrooms, each teacher must have a minimum level of general computer literacy, including skills and knowledge about computers appropriate to the classroom setting and subject area. In addition, each teacher must accept the responsibility to practice as a professional according to the highest ethical standard....

Principle V. Student Issues – One way to measure success is by the progress of each student toward realization of potential as a worthy and effective citizen. To help fulfill this goal, I will:

1. help students learn about future trends and possible impacts and consequences of a computerized society,
    
2. demonstrate respect for computer ethics in the school, which includes not permitting unauthorized duplication of software by my students,
    
3. insure that students have opportunities to evaluate their current and future roles and the impact their actions can have on future consequences in a computerized society,
    
4. help students to evaluate the models which underlie simulations on which major societal decisions are made, and
    
5. help students examine issues that relate to computer ethics.

Principle VI. Community Issues – The general community, parents and educators share responsibility for creating learning environments. In fulfilling responsibilities to the community I will:

1. provide training to the members of the educational or general community when asked and when practical to increase parental and community knowledge of possible educational goals that involve computers..., encourage parental involvement in long-term planning of computer use, coordinate expectations for computer use between home and school,
    
2. extend the standards for respect of copyright into school/ community interactions, and
    
3. evaluate what control donors should have over the use of hardware and software they provide.

Principle VII. School Organization Issues – Effective and efficient use of computers in education requires organizational support.

Principle VIII. Software Issues – I have some responsibility for the acquisition, development and dissemination of software in the school environment.

Principle IX. Hardware Issues – I share responsibility for the quality and improvement of hardware used by educators and students.

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