QUESTION
Choose one ethical issue arising from the use of ICT that has been reported in the press in last three years, and discuss it in depth. Show why or how the technology creates or contributes to the problem. Produce an article, discussing both sides of the issue (pros and cons) drawing on both technical and philosophical literature. In addition, argue for your own view of the matter, giving your reasons for your point of view and showing why you believe that they are better than opposing views.
SOLUTION
Current Information Communication Technology Scenario and Relevant Ethical Issues
Information Communication Technology (ICT) has played a significant role in the development of many sectors such as science, commerce, education sector and more importantly in evolution of the era of globalization. In the commercial field, ICT has allowed many economies to take advantage of the globalization opportunity through ecommerce websites. This is a relevant fact for the education sector as well. (Van DIJK 1999).
With the advent of globalization, interestingly, distance education has grown substantially. Student exchange programs that happened between two different countries may not be a norm in the future. Today a student in China can receive a degree from the American University, by appearing for an exam from the comfort of home. This basic principle of being physically present in front of the academician to learn a subject is not necessary anymore. Self-learning models are becoming popular with the advancement of Information communication technology on a global scale. The problem with distance education is the lack of ethical behavior on part of the students. Distance education makes it difficult for the faculties to monitor their student’s behavior. Students may study one and forget to study the other day and virtual schools may not be effective in grooming the students for virtues such as discipline, efficiency and quality of education. With absence of teachers, students may not get the necessary feedback and appraisal from the virtual faculty. Physical presence of faculties is a psychological need which may not be met by virtual model of schools. This will lead to resent and dissatisfaction among students and gradual depreciation of academic performance.
In current scenario, an ICT development that takes place in America affects the whole world. One of the best examples is “the increased usage of facebook” by youngsters and grown-ups alike irrespective of caste, creed, color, race, and economic differences. The good part is networking technologies like facebook connect the whole world for commercial, academic and other interests. But we cannot deny the fact that our addiction to technology has lead us to ignore the much needed face-to-face communication. Besides at times it is an infringement of personal rights when internet users receive fraudulent emails that misdirect them with fake opportunities in the education and career sector. (Castells M. 2000).
Developing internet technologies offer a fast-paced and efficient working environment, which means better work in less time. But this may also mean, more is expected from the knowledge workers in less time.
In spite of the presence of cyber laws stopping cyber crime has remained to be ineffective. We can see a similar scenario in the education sector, considering the adversities of non-identical standards of behavior between internet users. ICT can form regulations and ethical norms but it is a big challenge to appraise its implementation on a global scale. In such a scenario, the regulations will differ based on nationality and economic status. Individuals who are born in a particular country will get easy access to better opportunities. Individuals from a developing economy may be deprived of the same opportunities. Inequality is present in present times as well but it is only to a certain degree and may not increase. Lack of cyber laws and regulations may lead to more inequality in the cost and quality of education.
More importantly, the internet communication technology is based on the foundation of an exclusive delivery model. We should identify ways in which ICT can be rationalized, standardized and classified depending on its users, service providers and their origin. Admission procedure to a particular virtual school can be rationalized on merit alone. A particular student can seek admission in the Arts stream without worrying about the number of seats that are available for that academic year. There could be different entrance exams in place to evaluate candidates on the basis of their individual skills and competencies. It can be much easier to classify different students based on their competency leading them to their individual goals. The candidate can progress and may be even start earning during the early years without putting any burden on the economic system for the required resources. (Bell, D. 1980)
Identification of relevant ethical issues
1. Trustworthy information resources
ü Advantage
The information revolution that has happened through the internet revolution is a big advantage for many researchers, scholars and students. The ease of consistent access and prompt availability of information enhances the quality of work to a great extent.
ü Disadvantage
With the tremendous information resource that the World Wide Web offers, it has been difficult for academicians to ignore the influence of internet books, articles, blogs and other information resources. This being true, the reliability of the publication source can be in jeopardy. (Brey P. 2000).
- Unethical usage of internet communication
ü Advantage
The world has become a small place because it is no longer difficult for a person in London to reach a person in China. People can access each other through emails, blogs and many other online resources.
ü Disadvantage
Students and professionals get so involved in daily online chores such as checking emails, updating their facebook page or even playing a digital game that optimum utilization of time becomes a big challenge for them. Excessive usage of the web also affects the productivity of the student. There is always a difference of reading a journal in print and reading it online. In addition to this dilemma, there is always a level of confusion about using the right web resource between students.
- Determining the goals of education
ü Advantage
A faster delivery model can be introduced by academicians through multimedia technology. Students can learn the lessons at their own pace because revisions become easier. The whole experience of sharing, combining, analyzing and comprehending information also makes learning more interesting. Information for students is no longer limited to the college library; they can access the World Wide Web without restrictions of time and place.
ü Disadvantage
The main goal of education is to increase literacy to promote a sustainable society that can prosper on the basis of economic development. The era of knowledge economies has begun and the economic development is based on the ability to comprehend changes in the world economy. Due to the rising distance education trend, the delivery model of education is changing, but the concern is this should not lead to a change in the quality of education that is being delivered.
4. Software Defects
ü Advantage
Students who are denied access to academic knowledge by popular universities lose their intention to continue studying. Their choice for a particular university makes them feel unwanted when the same university denies admission. With ICT in the picture, the same students get an opportunity to pursue distance/learn from home education from the same university. (Brey P. 1998).
ü Disadvantage
Academicians and teachers are apt with training methodologies and their application on students. With the introduction of education on web, teachers have little scope to apply the training methodology on the student community. Computer technology can fail like any other machinery disruption and although computers can be fixed, the challenge is who is responsible for the failure? The academician/The Teacher/The student/The Publisher/The internet service provider.
5. Inequality in delivery of information
ü Advantage
Delivery of education through internet can be made more focused with fewer discrepancies. Forming a particular group/community in the virtual world, according to its preferences is much easier than forming a group in the real world. Receiving votes for and against a resolution can be matter of seconds and whole new generation information workers who can deliver services anywhere anytime are creating a very positive revolution. (Beniger J. 1986).
ü Disadvantage
Information inequality takes place due to available access to the same type of information at different costs. The preferred economic background and preference towards a candidate with particular educational background will lead to a social challenge. This social inequality may create huge gaps in the education delivery model of schools and colleges.
6. Value system
ü Advantage
A value system based on fast-paced digital environment that creates more information workers per year can be created with the advancements in the ICT. Information workers that are more efficient and well-equipped with more skills can make a big difference in the productivity of an economy.
ü Disadvantage
The value system can be ambiguous if the ICT norms remain blur due to lack of initiative from the authorities to structure it. This may lead to two different internet users to follow different norms and regulations. Regulations may differ according to the internet service provider, nationality and the web resource. This kind of discrepancy may lead to more inequality in the online delivery model.
References
- Beniger, J. (1986). The Control Revolution: Technological and Economic Origins of the Information Society.
- Brey, P. (1998). The Politics of Computer Systems and the Ethics of Design, in Computer Ethics: Philosophical Enquiry
- Brey, P. (2000). Disclosive Computer Ethics. Computers and Society 30: 4, 10–16.
- Castells, M. (2000). The Rise of the Network Society, 2nd ed. Blackwell.
- Van DIJK (1999).The Network Society. Sage
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