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Professional Ethics scenarios since 2006

by Andrew Yeaman

Members may print out and download these Professional Ethics articles from the TechTrends archive of back issues. It can be found under Publications on the AECT web site. The format of these articles matches those in Dr. Paul Welliver’s book of illustrative scenarios(2001). The book is located under Publications, too, and is free to AECT members as an online benefit of membership.
 

Professional Ethics articles recently published in TechTrends to illustrate the Code’s specific principles

Section 1 - Commitment to the Individual Learner

Principle 2. Morris, B. J. (2009). “It’s not about you, Ms. McInney.” TechTrends 53(3), 29.
Principle 3. Brewer, E. (2007). Admissions decisions and accommodations for disability. TechTrends 51(1), 16.
Principle 5. Napper, V. (2008). Choosing new chairs for a computer lab. TechTrends 52 (3), 8.
Principle 6. Yeaman, A. R. J. (2006). Protecting learners from technology. TechTrends 50(2), 11.
Principle 7. Hall, L. (2007). Making software choices benefit all children. TechTrends 51(1), 15-16.

Section 2 - Commitment to Society

Principle 2. Eastmond, N., & Hayden, R. (2006). How can I tell the truth? TechTrends 50(3), 13.
Principle 4. Butler, R. P. (2006). Giving and receiving favors. TechTrends 50(6), 10-16.
Proposed Principle. Napper, V. S., Hadley, K., & Yeaman, A. R. J. (2010). Is Janet viewing porn in class!?!! TechTrends 54(2), 22-23.

Section 3 - Commitment to the Profession

Principle 3. Sugar, W. (2010). Help wanted. TechTrends 54(3).
Principle 4. Walster, D. (2007). Sharing network security information. TechTrends 51(4), 14.
Principle 10. Belland, B. R., & Belland, J. C. (2008). A case study gone awry. TechTrends 52(1), 15.

The TechTrends Professional Ethics articles are offered to AECT members not only for their personal reading but also for use as general purpose instructional materials supporting professional education. They are useful in graduate school seminars and in professional development workshops.

It is often beneficial to provide small groups with just a scenario and the relevant principle. A good purpose for a small group discussion is to develop personal analyses and experience varying points of view. Instructional questions such as these may help produce responses: What do you think has happened? How do you know? What possibilities are there for reaching a resolution? How would you ensure that in the future things are going to be fair and just? This interactive approach ought to build familiarity with the Code as well as insight into its everyday applications.

Association members are expected to adhere to the Code of Professional Ethics, see the Bylaws, Section 16. While the Code sets the standard for the profession, along with many other pressures to do what is considered right, it also continues to develop. The story of how the Code came about, its current state, and its ongoing refinement is reported in a chapter by Yeaman, Eastmond, and Napper (2008). In particular, it is observed that thinking about professional ethics builds awareness of what our technology does (pp. 316-319).

References
Welliver, P. W. (2001). A code of professional ethics: A guide to professional conduct in the field of educational communications and technology. Bloomington, IN: Association for Educational Communications and Technology. (Available online to AECT members at aect.org. Scroll down the page then click on Publications.)

Yeaman, A. R. J., Eastmond, J. N., & Napper, V. S. (2008). Professional ethics and educational technology. In A. Januszewski & M. Molenda (Eds.), Educational technology: A definition with commentary. (pp. 283-326). New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates / Taylor & Francis Group.

First adopted in 1974, adherence to the AECT Code became a condition of membership in 1984. This version was approved by the AECT Board of Directors on November 2007.
Persons with concerns about ethical matters involving members of AECT should contact the Chair (currently Vicki Napper,vnapper@weber.edu). Professional Ethics Committee