Virtual Ethics?

Today we were talking about the virtual GLC and an interesting conversation emerged about morals and ethics of online use. It was suggested that people have an online persona where FLAME, online bullying, coarse behavior or other harsh communications could take place behind the "guise" of an avatar. However, when told that the principles of community and honor code would apply there was a suggestion that this should be visible to curb this "bad" behavior. This got me thinking about ethics and morals as they relate to the virtual world. As academy goes more online with Twitter, wikis, etc. being used in the classroom, how do we, as future faculty, deal with this online world where otherwise reasonable people deteriorate into madness?

As we navigate this virtual world, I think there needs to be a multifaceted dialogue with our students about what it means:

1. CHARACTER. Your character should not change just because you've logged-on. Why would you say something online that you wouldn't say IRL? Online bullying is still bullying and if you participate in this behavior you are in fact a BULLY. The internet is not a free pass to be morally reprehensible. Your actions still have consequences. So, why does the online GLC need a caveat that the honor code applies? Shouldn't this be obvious? Maybe there needs to be more conversation about moral character and less about how to avoid getting into trouble.

2. REPUTATION. My parents are on facebook. My boss is on facebook. My grandma doesn't use a computer, but my best friend's does. Your professor is on facebook. There is permanence to the internet. If you wouldn't want your father, mother, boss, religious leader, etc. to see a photo or hear you say something, DO NOT POST IT on the internet. Once it's out there, it's out there FOREVER.

3. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. The same is true for academic responsibility. Just because it's on the internet, or you blog about something rather than write it in a formal paper, plagiarism, copyright infringement, cheating, and the like all still count.

4. ONLINE CLASSROOM STILL MEANS CLASSROOM. Just because the forum of discussion is online, if is part of the coursework, it is still the classroom. You are still graded and the forum is probably not anonymous. Thus, you are still responsible for your conduct. Why would this change, anyway? (see Character)

The online world is becoming increasingly popular in academics. If we let the students loose in this forum without framing the discussion appropriately and setting ground rules, it could get widely out of hand. New technology and social media can have a place in the classroom, but as we help shape our students' academic future, we should also open up dialogue about online responsibilities and integrity. A person's integrity and character do not just apply to face to face communications.