Developing a Computer Ethics Course for Online Learners

摘要

Online learning is still a very contentious topic throughout the halls of academia. Advocates state that students who complete online courses learn as much as those in a face-to-face environment; earn equivalent grades; and, are equally satisfied. However, other researchers note that online students are less likely to complete their courses thereby negating the positive impact. Yet, online education is continuing its upward growth and in higher education, new degree programs and courses are being added on a regular basis. The Babson Survey Group reported that in 2011, online course enrollment hit an all-time high with more than 6.1 million students. The reported also stated that approximately thirty-one percent of all higher education students now take at least one course online. With the cost of education rising and employers looking for students with more depth in the subject area, there remains a debate regarding how to best deliver the educational experience to students. The aim of this paper is to present the development and results of a pilot study involving an online computer ethics course at a two-year institution. The paper positions the course within the context of the college's computer science curriculum, describes the rationale for course development and presents the next steps toward making the course a requirement for computer science majors.