Ethical and Social Implications of Computing
PDF Version of unit outline: Here
All links below are of lesson plans and supporting documents (PDF versions).
Unit Length: 2 weeks
Unit Introduction
What makes a technology “good” or “fair”? In this unit, students dive into the ethical and social issues surrounding computing—from AI and privacy to accessibility and intellectual property. Through case studies, debates, simulations, and a capstone project, students will develop critical thinking and awareness around how technology impacts people, society, and the world.
The unit culminates with a case study. Here are the resources to use throughout:
Unit Objective
Students will evaluate the ethical, legal, and social implications of computing technologies, using evidence and reasoning to form personal stances and propose responsible solutions.
Standards Covered
4565.D1.3: Describe the difference between traditional algorithms and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms and, at a high level, describe how AI/ML algorithms work.
4565.D3.5: Discuss the ethical and appropriate use of computer devices and examine device usability through several lenses including accessibility, ergonomics, and learnability.
4565.D3.6: Examine the impact of the Internet on society.
4565.D5.1: Explain the privacy concerns related to the collection and generation of data through implicit and explicit processes.
4565.D5.2: Discuss the laws surrounding intellectual property.
4565.D5.3: Examine trade-offs in computing technologies through current events related to broad ideas including privacy, communication, and automation.
Daily Breakdown
Day 1: What Is Ethics in Tech?
Objective: Students will define ethics and explore why ethics matter in computing.
Activities:
- Warm-up: “Would You Rather?” prompts
- Read and analyze real-world headlines
- Discuss ethical dilemmas in tech
- Exit Ticket: Reflect on a personal tech-related ethical decision
- Project: Brainstorm technologies with ethical implications
Objective: Students will compare traditional algorithms with AI/ML.
Activities:
- Warm-up: Match tech tools to algorithm types
- Mini-lesson: Traditional vs. ML algorithms
- Group sort: Label examples as traditional or AI/ML
- Exit Ticket: Advantage and drawback of AI/ML
- Project: Begin case study topic selection
Objective: Students will explore how machine learning models are trained and identify risks.
Activities:
- Warm-up: What does it mean to “teach” a computer?
- Use Teachable Machine or similar sandbox
- Discuss data bias and responsibility
- Exit Ticket: Who’s responsible when AI makes a mistake?
- Project: Finalize topic and begin research
Objective: Students will evaluate inclusive and accessible design.
Activities:
- Warm-up: Share a personal tech usability frustration
- Station Rotation: Usability checklist review of real tools
- Debrief: What made a tool usable or not?
- Exit Ticket: Suggest a design improvement
- Project: Review accessibility in chosen tech
Objective: Students will analyze how the internet has shaped society positively and negatively.
Activities:
- Warm-up: Agree/disagree line activity
- Mini-lesson: Digital divide, net neutrality
- WebQuest: Misinformation, activism, education
- Exit Ticket: Personal reflection on internet impact
- Project: Analyze internet’s role in chosen tech
Objective: Students will understand how user data is collected and the importance of consent.
Activities:
- Warm-up: App permission poll
- Explore app settings and privacy policies
- Case study: Track a fictional person’s data
- Exit Ticket: Suggest a privacy improvement
- Project: Document privacy implications
Objective: Students will explain the legal protection of creative and technological work.
Activities:
- Warm-up: Quiz – Can I remix this?
- Remix Challenge: Meme, lyric, or image
- Small group discussion: Should all digital work be protected?
- Exit Ticket: What surprised you about copyright laws?
- Project: Explore legal considerations
Objective: Students will weigh the pros and cons of emerging technologies.
Activities:
- Warm-up: Would you use a self-driving car?
- T-Chart: Compare pros and cons of 3 technologies
- Debate: Which tech has the toughest trade-offs?
- Exit Ticket: Your personal stance
- Project: Finalize ethical analysis
Objective: Students will present and evaluate peer projects.
Activities:
- Set up: Digital or physical showcase (Prep)
- Gallery walk or presentations
- Peer reviews using rubric
- Exit Ticket: What changed your perspective?
- Project: Submit final product
Objective: Students will reflect on ethics in daily technology use.
Activities:
- Warm-up: Rank daily tech from most to least ethical
- Socratic Seminar: What is ethical tech?
- Reflective writing: Future implications of what they learned
- Exit Ticket: One behavior they will change
**If you prefer a Google Drive Folder, please email me (jdthomps@purdue.edu)**