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Running head: ETHICAL PRACTICES

Ethical Practices of Technology Usage

Helen Ross
Dr. Keith Pressey EDU 697
Ashford University

Running head: ETHICAL PRACTICES

Ethical Practices of Technology Usage
A prior course activity from the MATLT program was chosen and redesigned
demonstrating the attainment of Program Learning Outcome 5 which is to exemplify ethical
practices of technology usage. The activity was redesigned using instructional design principles
and theory. An explanation of the instructional design principles and theory will be included. As
well as a discussion of any design and implementation challenges that were experienced during
the redesign.
Redesign Principles and Theory
The theory that was used to complete the redesign was Howard Gardners Theory of
Multiple Intelligences. Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences relate to a persons unique
aptitude set of capabilities and ways they might prefer to demonstrate intellectual abilities
(Gardner, 2013). This theory best fits the redesign because it reaches learners on several levels.
The intelligences that will be focused on are Logical-mathematical and the Spatial-visual.
The redesign also included learning strategies. The two teachers involved in the activity
conducted learner analysis to determine what the learners needs were. The activity was designed
based on the needs and characteristics of the learners (Dabbagh, 2006). Part of the learning
strategy includes a Rich environment (Dabbagh, 2006). An online math activity used for
learning, steps outside of the classrooms usual lecture and learn format. The students will explore
a new way of attaining information.
Redesign
The original activity was a three page paper regarding a Do-Type Activity. The activity
was designed for a fourth grade math class. The purpose of the activity was to freshen the

Running head: ETHICAL PRACTICES

students mind after returning to school from summer break. The teacher for the fourth grade
math class met with the teacher from the third grade math class to find out what the students
were learning before summer break and what the students needs were. The fourth grade math
teacher decided to start the students off with an online math game focusing on division by three,
which is what the students were learning in third grade.
The activity was redesigned and is now housed on a wiki. The ethical issues that could
arise from using a wiki and an online math activity includes student misconduct on the Internet
and a violation of students privacy. These issues were addressed in the redesign by requiring
parent/guardian consent allowing his/her student to participate in the online activity as well as
granting the parents/guardians full access to the online activity.
The wiki is secure and only the creator/administrator has access to the wiki. The school
principal will be present when the two teachers discuss the students needs to ensure that there is
no extraneous material involved in the conversation. The students will be closely monitored
while using the online math activity to ensure that there is no misconduct. Posted on the wiki is
the math games Terms of Use.
Redesign Challenges
The first redesign challenge was selecting an activity to redesign. There were several
prior activities that would have been appropriate for the redesign. This activity was selected
because the students involved would be using the Internet. The Internet poses many ethical
challenges. Those challenges include (but are not limited to) violation of privacy, young learners
not understanding the threats the Internet poses, adult guidance, and general misconduct.

Running head: ETHICAL PRACTICES

The second challenge was selecting a technology tool for the redesign. I am personally
fond of Power Points but felt as though I should try something different. A wiki was chosen to
house the redesign. It was a step out of my comfort zone as I have only designed one wiki prior
to this assignment. I chose to use Wikispaces, which was a new program for me, and created the
redesign.
The third and greatest challenge of the redesign has been figuring out how to view the
wiki after it was created. I still have not figured out how to view the wiki except from the creator
side. I improvised and converted the wiki page into PDF format. The redesign was challenging
yet rewarding.
Conclusion
A prior MATLT Program course activity was selected and redesigned demonstrating the
attainment of Program Learning Outcome 5. The redesign activity uses instructional design
principles and theory. The redesign includes an explanation of which principles and theory were
chosen and why as well as a discussion of any design and implementation challenges that were
experienced during the redesign process.

Running head: ETHICAL PRACTICES

References
Dabbagh, N. (2006). Instructional design knowledge base. Retrieved from
http://cehdclass.gmu.edu/ndabbagh/Resources/IDKB/models_theories.htm
Gardner, H. (2013). Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved from Faculty
Development and Instructional Design Center: www.niu.edu/facdev