ES1: Responsibility of the Computer Professional

Suggested laboratories (4 hours):

1. Divide students into small groups and assign an important technology, such as the clock, the internal combustion engine, electricity, or television to each group and have them discuss how the invention and widespread adoption of this technology changed society. Who were the winners and who were the losers when the new technology was adopted?

2. Have individual students read or view a work of science fiction and then report back to their small groups about the author's view of technology. Is technology viewed as beneficial or evil? Who is in control in the work - people or technology?

3. Have students identify where their personal values fit into classical ethical models and professional codes of ethics presented. Then have them discuss a case study in small groups using their own personal values as the basis for decision-making.

4. Have students do a written case study analysis using a professional code of ethics and then discuss their analysis with other students in small groups.