AECT Code of Professional Ethics
Adopted 2018
Preamble
1. The Code of Professional Ethics contained herein shall be considered to be principles of ethics. These principles are intended to aid all members of the educational communication and technology profession individually and collectively in maintaining a high level of professional conduct.
2. The Professional Ethics Committee will build documentation of opinion relating to specific ethical statements enumerated herein.
3. Amplification and/or clarification of the ethical principles may be generated by the Professional Ethics Committee in response to a request submitted by a member.
4. Concerns about ethical matters involving members of AECT should be addressed to the Chair of the Professional Ethics Committee. (See the note following the end of this document.)
The policies of ISTE regarding codes of conduct for members and events located at “https://www.iste.org/membership/codes-of-conduct” are incorporated into this AECT Code of Ethics, with “AECT” replacing “ISTE” everywhere it appears. Members are expected to engage in the “expected” behaviors and to avoid the “unacceptable” behaviors described in those policies. In addition, AECT will implement the consequences described in those policies. This integration of the ISTE codes is as of December 5, 2018. If the ISTE codes of conduct change in the future, AECT reserves the right to determine whether those changes are also to be integrated into its policy. The email address for filing a written complaint is ethics@aect.org, and the email address for asking questions and providing feedback is ethics@aect.org.
Section 1 - Commitment to the Individual Learner: In fulfilling obligations to the individual learner, the member:
1. Shall encourage independent action in the individual learner’s pursuit of learning and shall provide access to varying points of view.
2. Shall protect the individual learner’s rights of access to professional or instructional materials of varying points of view.
3. Shall guarantee to each individual learner the opportunity to participate in any appropriate educational program.
4. Shall conduct professional activities so as to protect the privacy and maintain the personal integrity of the individual learner.
5. Shall make reasonable efforts to protect the individual learner from learning environments or working conditions harmful to health and safety, including harmful conditions caused by technology itself by following professional procedures for evaluation and selection of materials, equipment, and furniture/carts used to create educational work areas.
6. Shall not stalk, bully, injure, harass, defame or retaliate against any person through any media or in anyway or violate any person’s right or privacy, professional development, or right to publication or diminish an individual’s integrity, rights, or educational opportunities.
Section 2 - Commitment to Society: In fulfilling obligations to society, the member:
1. Shall represent accurately the member’s institution or organization and take adequate precautions to distinguish between personal and institutional or organizational views.
2. Shall represent accurately the facts concerning educational matters in all public expressions.
3. Shall minimize any negative environmental impacts of educational technologies.
4. Shall promote responsible use of communication media for learning and social purposes.
5. Shall seek to encourage the development of programs and media that emphasize the diversity of societies as multicultural communities.
Section 3 - Commitment to the Profession: In fulfilling obligations to the profession, the member:
1. Shall accord just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession in terms of professional rights and responsibilities, including being actively committed to providing opportunities for culturally and intellectually diverse points of view in publications and conferences.
2. Shall not use coercive means or promise special treatment in order to influence professional decisions of colleagues by accepting gratuities, gifts, or favors that might impair professional judgment, or offer any favor, service, or thing of value to obtain any personal advantage.
3. Shall avoid commercial exploitation of membership in the Association for private gain and shall engage in fair and equitable practices with those rendering service to the profession through proper channels.
4. Shall strive continually to improve professional knowledge through research and implementation of best learning and teaching practices, and shall make available to patrons and colleagues the benefit of those professional attainments through design practices, presentations, and publications.
5. Shall represent personal professional qualifications and the professional qualifications and evaluations of colleagues accurately, including giving accurate credit to those whose work and ideas are associated with publishing in any form.
6. Shall promote current and ethical professional practices in the use of technology in education.
7. Shall delegate assigned tasks to qualified personnel with appropriate training or credentials and/or who can demonstrate competency in performing the tasks.
8. Shall inform users of the stipulations and interpretations of the laws affecting our profession and support compliance through our professional activities.
9. Shall conduct research using professionally accepted guidelines and procedures, especially as they apply to protecting participants from harm.
10. Shall report, without hesitation, illegal or unethical conduct to the current Chair of the AECT Professional Ethics Committee. There should be compliance with all laws and professional standards. An infraction should be reported to the appropriate authority including civilian authority if appropriate.
Note
First adopted in 1974, adherence to the AECT Code became a condition of Association membership in 1984. This version was approved by the Professional Ethics Committee on July 13, 2018 and then by AECT Board of Directors on October 19, 2018. Concerns about ethical matters involving members of AECT should be addressed to the current Chair of the Professional Ethics Committee. The Chair of the Ethics Committee will keep the Executive Committee informed of any ongoing discussions related to allegations of violation of the Code of Ethics and potential abuses.