T2 2020: ICT303 Professional Ethics in Computing
Assessment 2: Ethical Analysis
Assessment type: Individual assignment one (1500 words)
Purpose: This assessment will allow students to conduct ethical analysis of the situation provided based on ethical theories presented in textbook. This assessment contributes to Learning Outcomes a and b.
Task Details:
Topic: Ethical analysis
Assignment Details:
Background
Smart technologies are on the rise. There is a body of literature discussing the key benefits of Smart Technologies, however smart technologies also introduce many ethical issues.
Requirements
- Technologies such as google glass and smart watches are coming into the workplace. Given the intrusive natures of these technologies it is easy for employees to take videos or photographs of other people at work and share it with others. What ethical issues arise from the use of wearable technologies in workplaces?
- Smart phones are being used by nurses for clinical communications and workflow in hospitals. Using smart phones to record patient data introduces ethical issues involving patient privacy. Identify what privacy risks arise in such a context and explain the risks in detail.
- Driverless car technology has attracted significant interest in manufacturing industry over recent years. Identify what ethical issues arise from use of driverless cars. Will you embrace this emerging technology from an ethical perspective?
- Cyberbullying has been a significant issue globally over the past few years. Cybertechnology has exacerbated this problem owing to the proliferation of mobile applications in the marketplace. You receive notification from a third party inviting you to participate in an event. You are not sure how they received your details. Discuss what security issues arise owing to the sharing of too much personal information on social media.
- There are many apps available for download by consumers (for example, health monitoring, booking taxis, banking apps). While these apps are user friendly and improve user experience, there is also a security concern that hackers can use some loopholes in such apps to modify or delete customer information. Discuss how vulnerable these apps are and if there have been privacy breaches? Is it ethical for companies to introduce apps with only basic level of security?
Investigate and reflect upon one of the above scenarios using Ethical Guidelines published by organisations such as: EA and ACS.
Students with ID ending with 0 or 5, answer scenario number 1 Students with ID ending with 1 or 6, answer scenario number 2 Students with ID ending with 2 or 7, answer scenario number 3 Students with ID ending with 3 or 8, answer scenario number 4 Students with ID ending with 4 or 9, answer scenario number 5
Students will prepare a business style report of approximately 1500 words which analyses the above scenario through the lens of each of the FOUR (4) ethical philosophies presented in lecture.
For assistance in report writing techniques, see: http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/report/4b.html
A suggested report structure is as follows.
- title page
- executive summary
- table of contents
- introduction
- ethical analysis
- conclusion
- references
- appendices