Educational Origami

Over the last two weeks I have been presenting the Digital Citizen to the year 11 and 13 students at school. It has been an interesting and enlightening experience.

Part of the process has been discussing with then the “code of ethics”, the six facets of the digital citizen and taking there feedback on it. For the students it was an opportunity to have input into a code of practice that we will expect them to apply next year.

The feedback and questions from the students was poignant. It was amazing how much (and in a few cases how little) they understood, the difference between the Year 11 (15 year old) and Year 13 (17-18 year old) students came through in the depth of questions the students asked. They impressed me.

But it was clear that there is a need for these discussions, there is a need to look at what people are doing on the web, to look at the broad impacts that our connected world is having. To discuss the ethical approach to:

• communication
• bullying
• social responcibility
• pornography
• validity of information
• relationships
• predators

and the concequences of these.

Here is the final product as an acceptable use document or as a set of ethical guidelines. (Thanks you to the people who commented and suggested and to the students for their input)

1. Respect Yourself. I will show respect for myself through my actions. I will select online names that are appropriate, I will consider the information and images that I post online. I will consider what personal information about my life, experiences, experimentation or relationships I post. I will not be obscene.

2. Protect Yourself. I will ensure that the information, images and materials I post online will not put me at risk. I will not publish my personal details, contact details or a schedule of my activities. I will report any attacks or inappropriate behaviour directed at me. I will protect passwords, accounts and resources.

3. Respect Others. I will show respect to others. I will not use electronic mediums to flame, bully, harass or stalk other people. I will show respect for other people in my choice of websites, I will not visit sites that are degrading, pornographic, racist or inappropriate. I will not abuse my rights of access and I will not enter other people’s private spaces or areas.

4. Protect Others. I will protect others by reporting abuse, not forwarding inappropriate materials or communications; and not visiting sites that are degrading, pornographic, racist or inappropriate.

5. Respect Intellectual property. I will request permission to use resources. I will suitably cite any and all use of websites, books, media etc. I will validate information. I will use and abide by the fair use rules.

6. Protect Intellectual Property. I will request to use the software and media others produce. I will use free and open source alternatives rather than pirating software. I will purchase, license and register all software. I will purchase my music and media, and refrain from distributing these in a manner that violates their licenses. I will act with integrity.