By Cheryl Costantino, M.A. June 2014

 Teachers, students and parents have responsibilities when it comes to the use of technology.  There are national educational technology standards (NETS) for both teachers and students.  Internet Safety is a primary concern.  Rules set for use of technology are there to protect privacy, property and to ensure the appropriate use of technology (Johnson, ch.7)

 Technology has changed the way we think, operate and teach.  Safe and ethical actions with technology are not that different than our basic ethics.  Consequences for technology misuse are the same, if not more strict, as any other consequences for other behaviors.  Students must protect their own privacy and property as well as respect others privacy and property.

 Create passwords to protect your information.  Back up all information so you don’t lose it.  Avoid viruses – don’t open unknown or programs.  Be sure you have parental permission to use photos, as well as use of internet and what sites you are allowed to explore (and permission of your teacher at school).  NEVER give personal information such as your social security number over the internet.

 Don’t give address or phone number or credit card information unless it is a reputable company website.  NEVER give private information to someone you met in a chat room or through social media. You don’t know if the person is who they say they are, or if they are crazy or trying to scam or solicit you.  Have two addresses, one for personal and one for everything else.

 Ethics through technology are the same as they are at any other time.  It is wrong to steal, so don’t plagiarize someone else’s work.  It is wrong to share or use explicit material, so don’t do it with technology. This goes the same with foul language or lewd comments. It is offensive and unprofessional.  Cheating is wrong, so is cutting and pasting someone else’s work and calling it your own.  It is wrong to bully, gossip and spread rumors, so don’t do it with technology.

 Privacy – Protect your own privacy and respect the privacy of others… All of the time.  Property – Protect your property (passwords, etc.) and respect the property of others (don’t plagiarize their ideas or work).  Appropriate Use – Do the things you are doing with technology have educational value? Do they interfere with others? Will it come back to haunt you?

 Cyber Bullying – Report it. Don’t get involved with it. Cyber Bullying is unacceptable.  Stranger Danger – Be careful of predators. Never give personal information over the computer unless it’s to purchase something from a reputable site (with parents permission).  TMI (Too much information) - Don’t put too much information out there. You can never take it back once it’s posted. Be sure everything you put out there can be read or seen by teachers, relatives, coaches, college admissions and future employers. If not, then don’t put it out there. Even Snap Chat pictures can be saved.  Once it’s out there, it will never go away.

 Reproduction or use of copyrighted material can only be used for educational purposes, NOT for performances!  What is the purpose for use and the nature of the work? Is it for education or profit? (Can’t reproduce copyrighted material for profit.)  What amount of the work is used? A portion or the whole? Use quotes and identify sources.  What is the effect of the use on the fair market value of the work? (p.4)

 First, before you use any information, be sure that it is true and accurate. Be accountable for the information you use.  There are methods, such as Turnitin and other plagiarism checkers that teachers use to identify the theft of information. Teachers are trained to identify altered plagiarized work. Don’t do it.  Not only is plagiarism considered both cheating and stealing, but you can’t truly learn the information when you cut and paste without thinking or applying what you learn. Knowledge is valuable.

 Johnson, Douglas. The Classroom Teacher’s Technology Survival Guide. Chapter 7. © 2012 Wiley and Sons.  ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students. © 2007 Edition, ISTE.  Reproduction of Copyrighted Works.