Topic– Part of the series of Ethics case studies.
8) An undergraduate course required for graduation has a reputation for being extremely hard to pass, much harder than similar courses. When posting materials to the class website, the teacher accidentally posts a test with answers indicated at the end. The teacher notices the error immediately and deletes the test, but before she does so a student downloads the test. The website does not allow the teacher to see whether the test was downloaded, and because she deleted the test with the answers so quickly, the teacher later uploaded the same test without the answers and required students to take the test. The Student Code of Ethics prohibits students from taking a test when there is reason for them to believe they have confidential information regarding the answers to a test they are not supposed to have. Violations of the Student Code of Ethics are punishable.
- What are the issues of integrity, ethics and law posed in the case study?
- What options do the teacher and the student have?
- what should they do and why?(250 words)
Guidelines for framing the answer
Some of the issues raised in this case study include
- the reasons why the teacher reposted the same test;
- the undue difficulty of the course, and whether that or the teacher’s actions justify a student who uses the answers accidentally disclosed by the teacher;
- the relationship between ethical concerns and the Student Code of Ethics;
- and the relationship of the student to the teacher and fellow students,
- and the effect the student’s actions may have on fellow students etc.
This list is not exhaustive and therefore it is directed to critically study the issue and bring out the issues involved therein.
