"The study of Ethics is really a study of what is good. But what is good? And that leads us to another question; Good for whom? What if your good is my bad? What is the minimum good before it comes bad?"
I came across this video on Youtube. It is an introduction to a study of Ethics, Society & Technology, and how technology has influenced ethics.
Ethics of technology is a subfield of ethics adressing the ethical questions specific to the Technology Age. Technology in itself is incapable of possessing moral or ethical qualities, since "technology" is merely tool making. But were should we draw the line? Does a scientist have an ethical obligation to produce or fail to produce a nuclear weapon? Is it ok to clone humans? Or what about the ethical questions surrounding the production of technologies that waste or conserve energy and resources? For me these quiestions are difficult to give an answer to. I think the evergoing developement of new technologies makes it harder to draw that line. The right of privacy is being continually attenuated by the emergence of new forms of surveillance and anonymity. The old ethical questions of privacy and freedom of speech are given new shape and urgency in the Internet age.
The 3TU.Centre for Ethics and Technology in The Netherlands are trying to answer these quiestions for us, and help us draw the line. They say that: "Science and technology are of paramount social, political and economic importance in the 21st century. They are not only drivers of economic and social developements; they shape our societies, practices and institutions. In order to grips with science and technology, political and policy decisions regarding them, we need to reflect on the ethical aspects of their development, the moral acceptability of their application and their contribution to the quality of life and well-being. Education is important as well. Engineers and scientists are often confronted with ethical questions in their professional life. The knowledge and the technology they produce directly influence the well-being of individuals. The education should prepare them thoroughly and systematically for dealing with such ethical questions. We have a need for balanced, high quality and comprehensive reflection and judgement on moral, political and policy issues associated with science and technology."
With this as motivation, the 3TU is now trying to answer some of the most crucial questions of the 21st century: "What have the recent global financial crisis, the threat of climate change, the matter of poverty alleviation and the emergence of controversial and risky technologies in common?" All these realities have enormous impacts on contemporary society; each of them is influenced by specific technological developments, yet futured by universal ethical issues. The process can no longer be determined by mere cost-benefit appraisals or the push of uncontrolled economical growth. Solid and consistent ethical considerations shall be embedded in the processes of design and innovation. This is both the contribution and the ambition of 3TU, adding ethical value to technology and, i so doing, answering to the most challenging and crucial questions of our time.
Amen! This has to be some of the most resonable I have heard so far. We must not forget "ethics and moral". We learned about it when we were in pre-school! Where on our journey in society did we forget it? I am sorry to say, but I think in our society today it's all about economy and power. So ones good becomes anothers bad...
Finally, I really recommend a visit to 3TU's homepage.
onsdag 28. april 2010
Spring-time in Norway !!!
No, this was not taken during christmas, but in a few minutes ago... So this is the global warming? Well I have to think positive.. I don't have to cut my lawn for at least 2 months :-)
Have a nice day!! :-)
Have a nice day!! :-)
Information Society - implications for education and socialization
You have applied for a new job. Your opportunity of a lifetime. You're almost there. But then, your upcoming boss google your name:
Well, what do you think? Would you get the job??
This is an example of one of the less fortunate implications the Information Society have brought on us. Today it is very common that people google your name to find out who you really are. So have you tried it yourself? Do you know what information people can find on you at the internet? This is a problem that have increased the latest years with the help of social medias like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. Everyone can share anything on the internet. Your best friend could have tagged you on the picture above. He probably didn't mean anything wrong with it, but the consequences can be devastating for you. This is why we have to be critical when we use this social medias. Especially when we share pictures, videos and comments of other people. But fortunately our society has started to deal with these problems. For instance, in Norway we have just got a new service from The Norwegian Data Inspectorate that can help us with this. It's called "slettmeg.no" (deleteme.no). Slettmeg.no offers advice and guidance to people of all ages who find offending material about themselves on the Internet. Offending material might be photos published without permission, fake profiles on different Internet services, incorrect personal information or harassment.
But let's focus on something positive :)
I've read an article from BBC. It is a research by the National Literacy Trust regarding the developing of writing skills for children who use technology. This shows that children who blog, text or use social networking websites are more confident about their writing skills. Engagement with online technology drives their enthusiasm for writing short stories, letters, song lyrics or diaries. "The more forms of communications children use, the stronger their core literary skills".
Reading this article got me to think of a similar research and educational method developed in Norway by Arne Trageton, teacher and researcher at the College in Stord/Haugesund. In my ICT education at the College in Nesna I'm writing a task regarding Arne Trageton and his method. In short Trageton's method involves that children should start typing on computers before they learn to read. The idea is that children get to write freely on the computer, so they can learn all the letters in their own pace. The texts doesn't need not be intelligible to others than themselves. Later, the students produce their own dictionaries and writing stories or texts as they draw pictures, like newspapers and books. Handwriting training will not be used until the 3rd grade. Handwriting is a barrier for some children, particularly boys. PC gives them a chance to express themselves orally and in writing. The children always work two and two together. They are discussing what to express, both orally and in writing. The producing student is the main key, not the reproducing student.
I have no doubt that using ICT in children's education has a positive effect. We can't take away the opportunities that the Information Society can give them just because we are afraid of the ways they can abuse it or be abused by it. Instead we have to give them the proper education and training to use it responsible.
But let's focus on something positive :)
I've read an article from BBC. It is a research by the National Literacy Trust regarding the developing of writing skills for children who use technology. This shows that children who blog, text or use social networking websites are more confident about their writing skills. Engagement with online technology drives their enthusiasm for writing short stories, letters, song lyrics or diaries. "The more forms of communications children use, the stronger their core literary skills".
Reading this article got me to think of a similar research and educational method developed in Norway by Arne Trageton, teacher and researcher at the College in Stord/Haugesund. In my ICT education at the College in Nesna I'm writing a task regarding Arne Trageton and his method. In short Trageton's method involves that children should start typing on computers before they learn to read. The idea is that children get to write freely on the computer, so they can learn all the letters in their own pace. The texts doesn't need not be intelligible to others than themselves. Later, the students produce their own dictionaries and writing stories or texts as they draw pictures, like newspapers and books. Handwriting training will not be used until the 3rd grade. Handwriting is a barrier for some children, particularly boys. PC gives them a chance to express themselves orally and in writing. The children always work two and two together. They are discussing what to express, both orally and in writing. The producing student is the main key, not the reproducing student.
I have no doubt that using ICT in children's education has a positive effect. We can't take away the opportunities that the Information Society can give them just because we are afraid of the ways they can abuse it or be abused by it. Instead we have to give them the proper education and training to use it responsible.
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