Using Computers: Legal and Ethical Issues Objectives and Guidelines We Must Follow

Two Types of Responsibilities Legal responsibilities –you cannot use your computer to do anything that is against the law Ethical responsibilities - you should use your computer using good manners – in other words “do the right thing!”

Responsibility #1 Students must follow the AUP guidelines outlined in the VBCPS Acceptable Use Policy

What is an Acceptable Use Policy? It’s a document that tells people what they are allowed to do on their school or work computers. Students sign each year their “Code of Conduct” which reviews student guidelines of computer use. Where would you find the guidelines for the student’s AUP?

What are the AUP guidelines for students? Students must: Follow copyright laws Use school computer for “school” work only Never give out username and password Never look up inappropriate content on the Internet Be supervised by teachers at all times Never transmit or post personal data

What happens if students do not follow the AUP guidelines? Depending on what students do they may receive: Warning Detention Temporary loss on computer privileges ISS OSS Lose permanent privileges of using the schools system’s computers

Responsibility #2 Students must follow the U.S. laws related to the use of computers and software.

What is software piracy? This is when a person makes copies of software without permission from the person who created the program.

What is copyright? It is the exclusive legal right of a person to say who can reproduce, publish, and sell their original work and ideas.

What is “fair use” copying? The "fair use" rule of copyright law is when an author may make limited use of another author’s work without asking permission.

What is plagiarism? It is when someone steals and passes off the ideas or words of another as one's own without crediting the source.

What can happen to a student if he or she is caught plagiarizing? –Receive a zero for that assignment –Re-do that assignment at teacher discretion –Removed from a class –Note placed on a students permanent record –Can affect the acceptance into some colleges –Expelled from college

Responsibility #3 Students must cite electronic sources to support their research. Here are two Internet web sites that will help you cite your sources correctly. 1.Easybib.com 2.CitationMachine.com

Finally … Once you have located a site that interests you, you should evaluate the quality of the information before you use it in your work !