Ethics Module for Designers/Developers - Case #1

Consider the following scenario and post your answers to the questions in this discussion thread.

Kim Matel, an instructional designer at a small corporation, was asked by her boss John, to design a training module based on his friend’s dissertation research on human resource data. Although the information is not proven and potentially incorrect, John feels it would give validity to his friend’s research could be of “benefit” to the company’s employees. If the information is proven as incorrect, the result could be adverse to employees. To sweeten the pot, John has offered Kim a $1000 bonus if she completes the module to spec within the timeframe.

Should Kim agree to create the module even though she knows the information has not been proven?

Will any laws be broken?

Can you determine any other problems with this practice?

Would Kim be honest and demonstrate the appropriate integrity if she complied?

Would Kim be dedicated to the service of others if she agreed?

Ethics Module for Designers/Developers - Case #2

Consider the following scenario and post your answers to the questions in this discussion thread.

Your training company is offering a course for $3,000, and you learn that your main competitor is now offering a course, with supposedly the same outcome, for $1,600. You figure that their course has to be shallow and deficient, but you experience the pressure to match their price by stripping your own course to the point where it will be inadequate.

Will you bow to the demand of the marketplace? Why?

Do you instead take the time to find the proper resource(s) to try and resolve this ethics issue? Why?

If you choose the first option mentioned above, would you consider your decision ethical?

If you choose the first option mentioned above, would you consider yourself dedicated to the service of others?

Ethics Module for Designers/Developers - Case #3

Read through the following scenario and respond to the questions in the discussion thread.

Rod Vaughn is the team lead and key instructional design developer for a major university. The university’s educational technology director wants him and/or members of his team to explain how to use a new piece of software. This software would analyze the content of the past three years worth of student e-mails of which the director has copies.

Should Rod explain the software to the director?

Has the director violated any ethical code?

Does Rod have any ethical obligations in this situation?

Would Rod have the appropriate integrity if he complied?

Ethics Module for Students - Case #1

Louis is taking his first online course on instructional design. He has a background in Chemistry and is currently a teacher at a local high school. During his course, he is required to read a book and participate in asynchronous discussions. He has worked hard to participate as much as possible and tries to incorporate some humor into his posts. Many posts were generated as a result of his joke. Of note is the course's lack of a specific Code of Conduct for online communication. The instructor, as a result, had to generate “on-the-fly” regulations for the posts.

Louis has decided to keep away from the posts and participate as little as possible. However, the instructor is grading the students according to the number of posts the students includes per week. Louis have sent a private email to the instructor justifying his decision because of the lack of a Code of Conduct for the class. Consider the following questions and post your answers to this discussion thread:

Do you think a Code of Conduct must be explicitly included in the Syllabus of an online course?

Do you think Louis' argument to avoid participation is valid? Why or why not?

In online courses, the student is responsible for his own learning. How can you, as an instructor, motivate students when a situation like this arises?