Legalities and Ethics

Legalities and ethics

One thing that I also just thought about, is how can I accommodate people who may be attempting to complete an online class or their entire degree online, but by say, using the computer facilities at a library, internet cafe, or the connection at a Starbucks/Barnes and Noble. In essence, how can we as future online instructors accommodate those not only with maybe physical disabilities, but limited access to technology and limited time to use those resources. For this reason, I believe that it is great to use programs like Google Docs, because it makes it possible to use their tools with a minimum bandwidth (phone and/or mobile data plan compatible) as well allows people to export pdf (portable document format), rtf (rich text format) doc (MS Word) txt (plain text) and other formats. The versatility offered here allows for people with limited time or access to be able to interact and study the content provided without always having to be in front of a machine, even allows them to print copies and or have them be read using the tts service/feature in Adobe Acrobat. As Dr. Giddens said, the preparation of what if, also prepares you for the trouble that inevitability can create trouble in everybody’s life. No matter how prepared we think we are. These accommodations which are unfortunate necessities for those with disabilities are actually helpful additions to others. I mean consider what happens when a laptop crashes, or when a virus happens and you then need to access your work on a device that either has limited functionality or time. At this point, you realize the importance and necessity of such accommodations.

Ethically speaking, I do certainly agree that it is rather important for people to encourage students to do their best, encourage openness, and the sharing of ideas. When this is done, it helps truly create the healthy, supportive, and inviting environment that makes the wonderful and previously mentioned hallmarks of a healthy class possible. Teachers need to be on the lookout for intellectual bullies. Those people who know that they are right and leave no room for differences of opinion, no matter how valid they are. People who undercut posts that take attention away from them as the “star student”. We need to be prepared to reach out to the quiet one as well and protect them if need be. We need to be vigilant to monitor communication so that we can allow everyone’s voice to be heard in a non-threatening and non-judgemental environment.

That is not to say, however, that we restrict a great mind, but show them how to be brilliant but not boisterous and sensitive instead of secretly sarcastic. We also must ensure that when we grade, that we are careful not to lend too much benefit of the doubt, as in, this is a star student and they may just be having an off day, or offer too much sympathy towards the weaker ones. We can be merciful without being enablers. As with anything, balance is very important. As educators, we must be sure that we abide by all rules and regulations applicable, not only to do the right thing, but with the realization that we are examples and role models for those who will be examples, role models, parents, therapists, counselors etc. to so many others.