Participating in this Digital Ethics in Higher Education course has been an enriching experience. The structured modules offered deep insights into the ethical dimensions of using digital technologies in academic settings. For example, in Module 1, the discussion on ethical frameworks helped me reflect on how principles such as fairness and responsibility can guide our choices when using tools like online proctoring systems or plagiarism detectors.
I particularly appreciated how the course addressed both foundational concepts and ongoing challenges, from understanding ethical frameworks and data protection to focusing on digital well-being. For instance, the section on data ethics in Module 2 made me reconsider how student information is collected and stored on learning management systems, and underscored the importance of informed consent and data privacy. The module on digital well-being also highlighted the need to promote healthier digital habits - for example, encouraging students to take screen breaks, reduce distractions, and maintain balance in their use of educational technologies.
One key takeaway for me was recognising how essential it is to embed ethical considerations into daily academic practices, not just through institutional policy but also through teaching methods. For example, during peer assessments or group projects, students can be guided to uphold fairness, transparency, and respectful digital communication.
This course has been an informative and inspiring experience. A particular highlight of this course is the complementary combination of online asynchronous learning with online live sessions. We were introduced to and developed deeper understandings of the framework for digital ethics. The online sessions opened up space for more in-depth discussions about niche topics, such as the environmental impacts of GenAI and ethical technology use in the classroom. These discussions led us through scrutiny of the technology, implicitly following the framework underpinning the course, and demonstrated the complexity of ethical considerations, like whether technology use could result in empowerment or unskill. This learning journey equipped me not only with a framework for considering the ethical consequences of our digital use, but also with the skills to apply the framework in analysing practical situations. It also normalised the lack of definite answers to many of those pursuits and prompted me to think deeper.
This course on Digital Ethics has been immensely beneficial to me. Since AI has become an object of widespread enthusiasm, and it has been put to use already in many fields of knowledge, this course gave me an opportunity to debate its pros and cons, the ethical consequences of AI. The programme’s timeframe and spacing of each live class encouraged me to think through the topics carefully. The course content was also thoughtfully prepared. It gave me plenty of scope to use and analyse examples from my own work/academic environment. I particularly liked the discussion in break out rooms where I had the opportunity to e-meet co-participants and share our experiences and knowledge of AI. With the input from the course, I am confident that I will be able to approach the vexed AI related issues with more clarity and certitude and develop a model for AI use in my own college. I realise, after the course, that my sentiments and ideas on AI are closely aligned with the general ideas derivable from the course. I would have liked to have had more discussions on the far reaching impact of AI and technology on environment, the global politics of it and the inequality it could create. In my view, the course offered a timely intervention in the way we have embraced this in-thing. Thank you organisers for enlightening me on the ethical issues concerning AI especially in a world that is infatuated with it. Congratulations to the organisers and to the resources persons.
The course Digital Ethics is much needed in the present scenario where Technology is overwhelming and replacing, its time for us to contemplate on how far we can go and how far we can trespass limits. Preserving documents, protecting privacy and following ethics are the key takeaways from the course. Case studies were much challenging and learning for me. I appreciate how the course is designed. Each module was well planned and designed for the learners, followed by the quiz and case studies were grilling. I enjoyed each module getting to know new insights and terminology as I am from the field of literature.
Enquiry: chtl@hkbu.edu.hk
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