`Joan Marie Brown teaches a course to preservice teachers at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. One of the units she teaches in this course is about ethics and technology. The class explores the possible future impact that artificial intelligence may have on society, the issue of copyright and what it means to illegally enter an online database, and the ways a computer can become infected with a virus. In addition to holding computer-related ethical debates, the class discusses the consequences of the new developments in modern medicine in our society.

To provide preservice teachers with some actual teaching materials, Ms. Brown has designed four learning activities to enhance the exploration of some of these topics with students. These activities are designed to encourage student thought, discussion, and decision making. They are intentionally open-ended. Students need to explore these situations from many viewpoints. The goal is for students to see how other people think, consider possible consquences, and become more aware of their own values. These activities can be used with a variety of grade levels.

The lessons are printed in their entirety in Learning and Leading With Technology, March 1997. Ms. Brown may be contacted at jobrown@umich.edu .

`Acting Director Office of Educational Technology 32 Education University of Illinois 1310 South Sixth St. Champaign, IL 61820

phone 217-244-3966