Student life in computing: a variety of conflicting moral requirements

Vartiainen, T.

Moral conflicts are inherent in human life and we try to arrange our societies to avoid the most dilemmatic decision-making situations. Few studies on ethical issues in computing education exist, and this one takes a step forward in filling this gap in knowledge. The study concerns moral conflicts in student life as perceived by information systems (IS) students in a Finnish university. Their perceptions were collected from a given discussion task and a phenomenographical approach was taken in the data analysis. Nine categories were found along two dimensions. On the first dimension the moral conflicts related to choosing the study line, carrying out the study tasks and engaging in extra-mural activities, and the pressures associated with student life. The second dimension revealed the intentions behind the conflicts: moral conflicts were reflected through self-concern, maintaining relations, and upholding society. Implications for research and practice are suggested.

Cite as: Vartiainen, T. (2008). Student life in computing: a variety of conflicting moral requirements. In Proc. Tenth Australasian Computing Education Conference (ACE 2008), Wollongong, NSW, Australia. CRPIT, 78. Simon and Hamilton, M., Eds. ACS. 163-170.

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