Lesson 14: Internet Ethical
Dilemmas
OUTCOMES: Students will access and
search the Internet. They will
locate and discuss Internet-related dilemmas and present solutions. They will understand that most ethical
dilemmas have more than one side.
They will know, through questioning, how a person arrives at their
personal solution to a dilemma through use of their personal beliefs and past
history. They will learn to understand differences among people. They will be more accepting of
differences.
CONDITIONS: Given computers with
Internet access, students will work either in the classroom or the computer
lab. They will be guided to a
limited set of Internet sites to research the topic. They will work in pairs to do research,
and individually to develop one side or the other of an issue. They will present their issues as pairs
in a class discussion. This lesson
will take two to four periods, depending on class size.
ACTIVITIES:
Teacher
Student
|
DAY 1-2 (AT THE
COMPUTERS) ¨Give all students the
URL for Ethical Dilemmas http://www.globalethics.org/dilemmas/default.html ¨Pair them to do
Internet research, putting less Internet-knowledgeable students with those
who are more capable. ¨Model any ethical
dilemma on the board, showing both sides. ¨Tell them to work
together locating the sites and picking a dilemma that interests
them. Tell them they have the
balance of this period to complete their research and individually take a
side. DAY 2 - 4 ( IN THE
CLASSROOM) ¨Tell each student pair
to present both sides of their dilemma as if it happened to them, giving
each student 3 minutes maximum. Tell them not to discuss the outcome
presented on the web site ¨After each pair
presents, have a 5 minute brainstorming discussion with the class on
solutions. ¨As one is brought up,
ask the student how he/she chose that solution. ¨Discuss with students
how their pasts, their families and others have influenced their
beliefs.
¨Make comparisons of
the similarities among various students' development of their
ethics. |
¨Work in pairs, using
the URL provided, to research your ethical dilemmas. ¨Take notes to develop
your own side of the ethical issue. ¨Write enough to speak
on your side of the issue for 3 minutes ¨Present your issues in
your groups. ¨Listen and discuss the
issue, developing and discussing your solution. ¨Talk about your
history and how you developed your own beliefs. ¨Then talk with the
rest of the class about what was the same in the way you developed of your ethics. |
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:
Internet search lists, access to
Internet.
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT: Students may be assessed
using the Academic Rubric for
their research on
acquisition of information, research strategies, library and Internet skills
mastered. They may be assessed on the Life Skills
Rubric for use of resources, accuracy
and completeness of work,
and initiative in researching independently. The "Research
Questions" forms may be
graded on the ease of locating sources listed as well.
MODIFICATIONS /
ACCOMODATIONS: Students may be given extra
time. Pair
students with disabilities
with students with experience in computer use. Base the grades
on effort, preparedness, and
organization as well as achievement.
STANDARDS: Language Arts, grade 9/10, Writing, Research and
Technology,1.5.