Computer Science
Grade 9
20 min
Ethical Dilemmas in Technology: Case Studies and Discussions
Students will analyze ethical dilemmas in technology through case studies and discussions.
What you'll learn
- Identify and describe at least three different ethical dilemmas that can arise from the use of technology, using examples from provided case studies.
- Explain how different perspectives (e.g., user, developer, company) might influence the ethical considerations related to a specific technology case study.
- Apply ethical reasoning principles (e.g., fairness, responsibility, privacy) to analyze a given technology-related ethical dilemma and propose a solution.
- Evaluate the potential consequences (positive and negative) of different solutions to an ethical dilemma in technology, justifying their reasoning with specific examples.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify key ethical principles like privacy, bias, and accountability in technology.
Analyze a technology-related case study to identify the stakeholders and their perspectives.
Apply a simple ethical framework to evaluate a technological dilemma.
Articulate a reasoned argument for a specific course of action in an ethical scenario.
Define and provide examples of algorithmic bias and its societal impact.
Discuss the ethical implications of data collection and user privacy.
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
EthicsA set of moral principles that guide a person's or group's behavior. In technology, it's about determining what is right and wrong in the creation and use of digital tools.A programmer deciding not to write code that secretly collects user data because they believe it violates the user's right to privacy.
StakeholderAny person, group, or organization that can be affected by a technology or a decision.For a new food delivery app, stakeholders include the users ordering food, the restaurants, the delivery drivers, the app developers, and even local residents affected by increased traffic.
Algorithmic BiasWhen a computer system produces unfair or discriminatory outcomes because it learned from biased human data or decisions.A facial recognition...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The Stakeholder Analysis Framework
1. Identify the technology/dilemma. 2. List all stakeholders. 3. For each stakeholder, identify their interests and potential harms/benefits. 4. Consider the conflicts between stakeholders.
Use this framework to break down a complex ethical problem. It helps you see the situation from multiple viewpoints before making a judgment, ensuring you don't overlook someone who might be negatively affected.
The 'What If?' Test
For each possible action, ask: 'What would happen if everyone did this?' and 'What are the likely positive and negative consequences for all stakeholders?'
This test helps you evaluate the potential impact of a decision by focusing on its outcomes. It encourages you to think about the broader...
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Challenging
A health app shares anonymized user data with university researchers to help cure diseases. The central ethical dilemma involves a trade-off between which two competing values?
A.The app's performance speed vs. its storage requirements.
B.The societal benefit of medical research vs. the individual's right to data privacy.
C.The university's reputation vs. the app company's profit.
D.The ease of use for young users vs. the ease of use for older users.
Challenging
In the 'Biased Hiring Algorithm' case, the company claims it isn't responsible because 'the computer made the decision.' Why is this a weak argument based on the principle of accountability?
A.Because computers are incapable of bias, so the company must be lying.
B.Because the company chose the training data, built or bought the system, and decided to use it, making them responsible for its outcomes.
C.Because the rejected applicants should have sued the software developer directly.
D.Because the law states that only humans can make hiring decisions.
Challenging
After the 'Social Media Mood Experiment' was revealed, the company published the research but did not apologize or change its policies on user consent. Which two ethical principles did the company's response continue to neglect most?
A.Algorithmic Bias and Data Privacy.
B.Accountability and Transparency.
C.Stakeholder Analysis and Profitability.
D.User Experience and System Efficiency.
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What grade level is "Ethical Dilemmas in Technology: Case Studies and Discussions"?
Ethical Dilemmas in Technology: Case Studies and Discussions is a Grade 9 Computer Science lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Ethical Dilemmas in Technology: Case Studies and Discussions?
You'll be able to: Identify and describe at least three different ethical dilemmas that can arise from the use of technology, using examples from provided case studies; Explain how different perspectives (e.g., user, developer, company) might….
Is "Ethical Dilemmas in Technology: Case Studies and Discussions" free to practice?
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How many practice questions are included with Ethical Dilemmas in Technology: Case Studies and Discussions?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.