Computers generate code of ethics

There are all kinds of things to learn about computers, but students at Iowa State University are expected to master the school’s “computer code of ethics.” Dorothy Lewis, head of ISU’s Academic Infornmation technologies, says it’s some fairly simple things like copyright laws. Years ago that used to mean retyping or photocopying books, but today it can be computer programs or online term papers.Illegal copies of software, downloading cartoon shows that are copyrighted and taking advantage of someone else’s ideas. The “Code of Computer Ethics” is short and simple, says Lewis.If students are paying attention to what it means, they won’t get into trouble. Lewis says students are expected to do research but not rip off ideas or original works with their computer access. She adds it wouldn’t be a good idea to tell students NOT to experiment with searching the Internet for ideas and information, since that’s just what jobs of the future will require of them.