Consequences of Computing:
A Framework for Teaching
Importance of the Dimensions - Page 10 of 36
Even in relatively homogeneous groups or organizations, there will be individual differences in approach to technology and individual interests in the use of that technology. Some of these differences are based on physical and others on psychological differences. For example, it is becoming more important for designers of computer interfaces to take into account the physical needs of the users of those systems. Adaptable and flexible ergonomic physical design is important in accommodating the diversity of individuals who may use any system [43]. Handicapped individuals may need even more flexible interaction devices, and these need to be accounted for in the basic design of systems, rather than included after the fact [54]. Differences in learning and work styles may also need to be accommodated in systems. An awareness of the kinds of individual diversity that designers may encounter will thus be helpful to the student of computer science [47].
This awareness makes clear the particular ethical issues that face the designer of computer systems. Who will be included in those who can use the system? If they are required to use the system, will it enhance and facilitate their use? What responsibilities (both legal and ethical) do the designers of systems have to make systems adaptive to individuals with physical handicaps? These questions touch on a variety of ethical issues: the (appropriate) use of power, equity and access, quality of life, and professional responsibility. Other ethical issues (privacy, risk and reliability, property, etc.) will also benefit from consideration of this level of analysis.
Thus, computer professionals need to able to think about how their decisions will affect the variety of individuals who will use that system, and about how those individuals may in turn influence the use of the technology.
Communities and groups
It is rare for a technology to be designed or used by a single
individual any more. All communication technologies are designed to connect people, and are
usually designed by teams, while the teams themselves are located within organizations.
Communities and groups of people have different purposes for their interactions, and there are
even disagreements about purpose within those communities and groups. In designing or
implementing computer technology, the concerns of these groups will influence both how the
design is constituted and how the resulting technology is used.
For example, when designing software for group interaction (e.g. computer supported cooperative work systems, decision support systems), the designer needs to be aware of the variety of purposes and interaction styles different groups can have, and of the ways groups and individuals negotiate their power in interaction with others [4]. If these crucial issues are ignored in a system, the system could, for example, mistakenly assume in its design a cooperative sharing of information while the actual group that would use it would be a competitive brokerage firm. These kinds of mismatches quickly make a product unacceptable and are quite difficult to patch without large scale system redesign.
In order to understand the risks involved in the use of a target identification system on a military vessel, the designer of that system needs to be aware of the groups that use that system, of their interactions and responsibilities, and of their actual (as opposed to idealized) pattern of interaction with each other and with the system [41]. An otherwise well designed system that ignores these issues could assume more coordination among groups who use the system than would actually be the case under battle conditions.
Finally, computer professionals will most likely do the majority of their life's work within groups or teams. They will often not be the most powerful person on that team, and will need to make decisions about design and implementation issues within the context of the group interactions and the power hierarchy [10, 18, 23, 30]. An understanding of how groups work, and some practice in working within groups, could be invaluable if linked to the ethical issues of whistle blowing, quality design, use of power, honesty, etc. Thus, both in learning how to work within groups, and in designing technology that will be used by groups, computer professionals need to be prepared to think about social interaction on this level.
