Tech+Forum+Code+of+Ethics

A Proposed Code of Ethics for the Early Childhood Education Technology Listserv 


 * FROM NAEYC: NAEYC Member Interest Forums** were created to encourage the exchange of diverse opinions and to further discussion, dialogue, and reflection of particular topics relevant to NAEYC’s [|mission and goals]. Discussion occurs online throughout the year on NAEYC's Online Interest Forum Communities and in-person at [|NAEYC's Annual Conference] and [|National Institute for Early Childhood Development].

The NAEYC Technology & Young Children Interest Forum's Mission: To lead discussion, share research and information and demonstrate best practices regarding technology so it can be used to benefit children aged 0-8 years.

Note that this is a draft list that I (Warren Buckleitner) wrote on April 22. I don't speak for NAEYC or the Interest Forum.

Symptoms of a healthy ECE listserve might include:

IDENTITY The equivalent of saying "Hi, I'm ___ from__ _."

MOTIVE Before you press "send" think "why am I posting?" Is it to promote, inquire, or inform? All are OK, however --

IF YOUR MOTIVE IS TO PROMOTE YOU SHOULD FULLY DISCLOSE You made a new amazing app. You have the solution to America's literacy problem. Great. However, in order to be fair to all products and your potential competitors, you must disclose *any* direct or indirect business motives behind post. ("Disclosure: I worked on the app mentioned in this post"). Note also that this is a scholarly academic forum. You wouldn't stand up in a conference room full of peers and shamelessly plug your product, would you? This is the same thing.

A PROFESSIONAL VOICE Address the group as if you were standing up with a microphone in session at NAEYC. If you criticize somebody or something, provide links, concrete examples and cite references.

AGREE TO DISAGREE This is an interactive format on an emerging topic, so controversy is OK. A healthy field needs open-air discussion. Just use a professional voice.

USE FOR COLLECTION OF CASE STUDIES OR SURVEY DATA Writing a book? Doing a study? The list serve can be very useful. However, you should state your affiliation and be clear about your intended use of the data. If data is collected by way of the listserve, it should be shared.

NOT FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS USE Don't cut and paste press releases -- Write in the first person, again as if addressing an audience.

WATCH YOUR FOOTER I've been known to forget that my footer plugs my own products. Sometimes I forget, and accidentally blast a link to my own home page or twitter feed. This can be seen as self serving and it is embarrassing. To be safe, keep essential identification information, but don't include links to special events, promotions and so on.

NEEDED: A MECHANISM TO APPEAL A healthy listserve dialog should ideally have a governance mechanism. What happens if there is a dispute? Who gets to post? Who can't post? Can people blocked? It seems that the Interest Forum members should be the ones to vote in such cases, and hopefully they are rare.