UNIT VII: Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Use of

Prof Ed TLE 104 - Technology for Teaching and Learning 1

Technology Tools and Resources

Module No. 7
Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Use of Technology Tools and
Responsibilities

MODULE OVERVIEW

Technology has been an integral part of our lives. It has created a great impact whether
we like it or not. We have become prone to safety issues. Our privacy can be intruded. Our social
relationships can be affected. But it is not just enough that we keep ourselves safe, we should
also possess the skills on how we can act responsibly so as not to cause harm to others. Thus,
this module will walk you through this issue.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

1. Describe the community of learners as citizens who share and utilize digital materials.
2. Practice standard netiquette in sharing and utilizing shared materials among learning
communities.
3. Identify examples of Intellectual Property Right in educational setting; and
4. Show, give examples, and observe social, ethical and legal responsibility in the use of
technology tools and resources.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP VS. GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

We are now living in an era which is known and referred to as the digital age. In this age,
technology is rapidly changing and developing. We live in two worlds – the real and digital world.
Digital world is a contemporary expression to communicate the importance of digital technology
today. When we say Digital World, we are essentially communicating that the almost entire world
relates to digital technology.

So, In line with these technological advancements of the 21st century, we have a
responsibility to be “digital citizens” as well as good citizens.

Digital Citizenship vs. Global Citizenship

Since we are considered citizens of the community we live in, then as users of the internet
we can also call ourselves as citizens of the digital world where we live, learn, and work in an
interconnected manner. Digital citizenship is an idea that all persons using the internet have civic
rights and responsibilities. It centers on safe, savvy, and ethical use of technology.

Today, almost 50% of the global population is connected to the internet and the mobile is
further driving internet connectivity at a rapid rate. More than 68% of the connected audience (2.5
Billion out of 3.8 Billion) is already an active social media user on the mobile. We are now also
considered as netizens, not only as citizens. A netizen is a participant of an online community and
who uses the internet in a responsible way.

Summing up, a global citizen sees the world as a community in which all people live and
prosper together. He/she understands that his/her actions contribute to the values of the entire
planet and he/she is concerned on how he/she participates in and contributes to the entire world.
A digital citizen, on the other hand, adheres to guidelines that govern the ethical and responsible
use of technology and acts responsibly in all relationships and interactions in the digital world.

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 UNIT VII: Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Use of
Prof Ed TLE 104 - Technology for Teaching and Learning 1
Technology Tools and Resources

When we mix these two together, it is the perfect recipe for the Global Digital Citizen. A
global digital citizen is a responsible, ethical citizen leveraging technology to foster community on
a global scale through connections and compassion. The Global Digital Citizen understands that
we can govern technology for the benefit of both ourselves and others. It is a citizen that views the
world as an interconnected community. Additionally, the digital citizen realizes that we
simultaneously share technological and human experiences regardless of culture, status, or
political/religious beliefs (Watanabe-Crockett, 2017).

Technology has served predominantly double-edged function – both positive and negative.
Its function lies in how we let ourselves be consumed by it because it is our responsibility to
recognize how we become an instrument of this digital world we live in. As exemplified, social
media comes with both benefits and drawbacks. The real threat comes from its essence, not its
activities or products. We, humans, it is on our hands on how we will use the technology.

Let’s reflect. We need to step back and reassess who we were, who we are, and who we
are becoming in the midst of this digital advancement in the digital age. And so, practice being a
good global digital citizen.

We define the best assets of Global Digital Citizen using 5 tenets: Personal Responsibility,
Global Citizenship, Altruistic Service, Environmental Stewardship, and Digital Citizenship (Ribble,
2017).

These 5 tenets are the essence of what it means to be a great Global Digital Citizen.

1. Personal Responsibility

Personal responsibility includes demonstrating how we manage ourselves in matters such as

personal finance, ethical and moral boundaries, personal health and wellness, and relationships of
every kind, both online and offline.

2. Global Citizenship

The Global Citizen understands that technology has dissolved boundaries between all the world's
people. We now communicate, collaborate, and celebrate across all levels of society. We are now
all global citizens.

3. Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship covers appropriate and exemplary behavior in our online environments. It's
about working towards making our transparent digital world safe for ourselves and others.

4. Altruistic Service

Altruism is defined as "having a selfless concern for the well-being of others." The Global Digital
Citizens acknowledge that they share this world with many different people.

5. Environmental Stewardship

This practice is all about common-sense values and an appreciation for the beauty and majesty
that surround us every day. This facet of Global Digital Citizenship encourages exploring how we
can practice the conscientious use of Earth's resources.

Why do we need to be global digital citizens/plagiarism?

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 UNIT VII: Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Use of
Prof Ed TLE 104 - Technology for Teaching and Learning 1
Technology Tools and Resources

Personally, we face the daily possibility of online fraud identity theft and online buying. We place
our entire lives and their contents in the digital stratosphere willingly and often without considering
the
consequences. The dangers of these are real. What is needed is people will advocate and
demonstrate the kind of self-governance that will keep us safe from harm both online and offline.

Globally, even as technology intertwined as we are, there is also a level of disconnection in our
lives. We are more connected than ever and yet often less tune into others than ever. Global
digital citizens see that the need that all diversity has to be recognized on earth and cherished for
present and future generation. They also see the need for harmony and connection in a world
transforming as rapidly as ours.

Digitally, our internet is unchecked and growing. A good thing about it is that online information is
expanding at a staggering rate. Online perils do exist, and the global digital citizen sets an
example to others on how to navigate them safely and securely. A good helping of common sense
goes a long way in this
regard.

Altruistically, we have more means to help others thanks to technology. Crowdfunding and
crowdsourcing help us give back to local and global communities. Social media can become a
support network for those of us who are in physical, mental, and emotional need. The global
digital citizen can lead the way. Environmentally we continue to face growing threat such as
climate change resource depletion industrial pollution digital pollution and more. Global digital
citizens seek to combat the biggest challenges for environmental health. They foster solutions that
work to the benefit of the entire planet.

Plagiarism

1. Intellectual property: Respecting original work and ideas maintains academic integrity.
2. Academic honesty: Proper citation and referencing foster trust and credibility.
3. Creative authenticity: Original work promotes innovation and creativity.
4. Consequences: Plagiarism can lead to academic penalties, professional repercussions, and
legal issues.
5. Digital footprint: Online plagiarism can damage reputation and credibility.

NETIZENSHIP AND NETIQUETTE IN ONLINE COMMUNITIES

Netiquette is a combination of the words network and etiquette and is defined as a set of
rules for acceptable online behavior. Similarly, online ethics focuses on the acceptable use of
online resources in an online social environment

Both phrases are frequently interchanged and are often combined with the concept of a
netizen which itself is a contraction of the words internet and citizen and refers to both a person
who uses the internet to participate in society, and an individual who has accepted the
responsibility of using the internet in productive and socially responsible ways.

Netizenship and Netiquette in Online Communities

● The Philippines being considered as the social media capital of the world has a need to
stress social media education and etiquette among online users. Social media can attain
many things in terms of social good.

● We all create a digital tattoo and we leave digital footprints. We must remember that our
digital world is permanent and with each post we leave a digital footprint. By self-reflecting

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 UNIT VII: Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Use of
Prof Ed TLE 104 - Technology for Teaching and Learning 1
Technology Tools and Resources

before we reveal, we can consider how what we share online can impact ourselves and
others.

● Scrutinizing the term again, a netizen according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is an

active participant in the online community of the internet. The medical dictionary first saw it
as an internet citizen who uses network resources which connotes civic responsibility and
participation. Netizenship means citizenship on the internet or in the virtual world

● As responsible netizens, we are all expected to support a healthy interaction on the

internet. A netiquette. or rules of socially accepted behavior online must be observed in
writing an email, in texting, and other communications on the web.

Below are some netiquette guidelines:

1. Protect your reputation. Whether in the real or in virtual world, you are the same person. Do
only what is appropriate and share information that does not harm you as a person.

2. Respect others. Respect begets respect. Treat everyone with respect even if you have not
seen him/her in person. Be judicious about what you say on your own and other's pages.

3. Express yourself clearly and use emoticons. Communication online is difficult because
emotions are not evident during communication. Miscommunication usually takes place because
your facial expression and your body language cannot be seen, and the tone of your voice cannot
be heard. Thus, emoticons readily available to show your emoticons

4. Remember the intellectual property. Ideas online are products of the intelligence of others. If
you need to cite them, acknowledge the authors. You do not want to steal the properties of others.

5. Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Since your face cannot be seen online, you will
be judged according to your posts. Good writing means good manners. We do not want to waste
other people's time reading our post which is incomprehensible.

6. Pause before you post. Take note that whatever you post becomes permanent. Therefore,
think twice or thrice before you click send.

7. Do not share your personal information. Sharing your personal information online is like
going around the streets wearing a shirt printed with your name, birthday, address, name of
parents, etc. You do not want to reveal all these to people. Besides, providing all these publicly
will make you prone to identity theft.

8. Think about who or what you are representing. As a son/daughter, you represent your
family. As a student, you represent your school. You do not want your family or school to be put to
shame by what you do.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF DIGITAL

MATERIALS

Intellectual property rights aid the economic development of a country by promoting healthy
competition and encouraging industrial development and economic growth.

Intellectual Property Rights

● It is a category of property that include intangible of human intellect.
● Intellectual Property, according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), refers

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 UNIT VII: Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Use of
Prof Ed TLE 104 - Technology for Teaching and Learning 1
Technology Tools and Resources

to creations of the mind such as inventions, literary devices, and artistic works; designs;
and symbols, names and images used in commerce.

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines

● This administers and implements state policies in relation to intellectual property.

Republic Act 8293

- defines intellectual property to include copyrights and related rights; trademarks and services
marks; geographic indications; industrial designs; layout designs of integrated circuits ; and
protection of undisclosed information.

Types of Intellectual Property Rights

1. Copyrights
- Use of performance of original works of literature, art, music, drama, or any other form of
expression.
-primarily for artistic and literary creations. These include sculpture, choreographic creations,
music, books, and software applications, among others.
2. Patents
- The use, manufacture, or the sale of inventions.
-Provide property rights on autonomous inventions.
- Patent laws protect inventors from cases of unauthorized parties producing, using, or selling
their inventions.
- For inventions.
3. Trademarks
- The use of symbols, Words, names, pictures, designs or combination thereof. Used by firms to
identify products, brands, or services.
- are constituted by symbols, designs, phrases, or words that provide distinctions between
products offered by different businesses.
- For brand identity.
4. Trade Secrets
- The privacy of data, documents, formulas, or anything that is to be maintained as confidential
information.
- Any valuable information that is not publicly known and which the owner has taken "reasonable"
steps to maintain secrecy. These include information such as. business plans, customer lists, and
ideas related.
- Critical in the process of ensuring that a business remains competitive and that relevant
corporate advantages are preserved.
- To protect secret information.

Copyright refers to the legal right given to the owner of the original work or intellectual property.
These “works” are original intellectual creations in the literacy and artistic domain protected from
the moment of their creation.

Nowadays, copy and paste are very accessible commands in our computer toolbars, we should
try not to violate the copyright laws otherwise we could be accused of copyright infringement.
Copyright infringement is the use of works without permission where the copyright holder has the
exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, display, or perform the protected work, or to make
derivative works.

Guidelines on online use of copyrighted materials by Smaldino, Lowther and Russel

(2012):
1. Contrary to popular opinion, all material on the internet is copyrighted unless stated otherwise.
It is copyrighted even if it does not display the copyright symbol.

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 UNIT VII: Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Use of
Prof Ed TLE 104 - Technology for Teaching and Learning 1
Technology Tools and Resources

2. An email is an original work, fixed in a tangible medium of expression that is covered by

copyrighted. Hence, it is recommended that you should not forward any email without permission,
in consideration of both copyright and Privacy act.
3. Downloading an article from a newspaper’s website, making copies, and distributing them to
your students prior to a class discussion on the topic is permissible following the current
photocopying guidelines which permits making multiple copies for classroom use. The exception
would be individually bylined, copyrighted articles from a source specifically designed for the
educational market where such articles cannot be copied legally for class distribution (adapted
from Becker, 2003).
4. You cannot post student’s essays, poems, or other works on the school website unless you
have permission of the students and their parents or guardians.
5. Educators should treat copyrighted materials from the internet that same way they do to print
formats. The best guidelines are to always obtain permission. When in doubt, ask!.

REFERENCES

Bilbao, et al. (2019). Technology for teaching and learning 1. Quezon City,
PH: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.
Nine elements of Digital citizenship in https://www.youtube.com/
Watch?v=gYe11RNG-tZU
10 ways to be a better cyber citizen https://www.justaskgemalto.com
/us/top-10-ways-be-better-cyber-citizen
Digital etiquette in https://www.brainpop.com/
Smaldino, S. et.al. (2005). Instructional technology and media for learning,
8th Ed.
New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall

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