Discusses individual rights versus institutional responsibilities as addressed in the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for Electronic Learners. Topics addressed include freedom of speech and First Amendment rights; freedom of the press; freedom of assembly; right to privacy; freedom from unreasonable searches; due process; and future issues.…

Both the community and the teaching profession are claiming ownership of the problem of the impact of a teacher's private life on his employment status. An analysis uses a construct developed by Joseph R. Gusfield with components of ownership, causation, and political responsibility. (44 references) (MLF)

Examines issues regarding the privacy of information contained in patron databases that have resulted from online circulation systems. Topics discussed include library policies to protect information in patron records; ensuring compliance with policies; limiting the data collected; security authorizations; and creating and modifying patron…

Explores parents' perceptions of the privacy needs and behaviors of their preschool-age children. Results indicate that parents do not perceive privacy as important for young children and are more likely to see them as invaders of others' privacy. Parents mostly recognize children's privacy needs in spatial terms. (MKA)

Discusses the ethical challenges of information technology, particularly electronic indexes and the Internet; considers principles to guide students; and discusses possible librarian responses. Topics include Kant's categorical imperative, ownership, right to privacy, social responsibility, self-respect, plagiarism and copyrights, and three…

States that researchers in technical communication have begun to take advantage of the interactions taking place via computer-mediated communication as a rich source of research. Reviews three forms of technical communication research methods (ethnography, rhetorical analysis, surveys) and raises preliminary issues to consider when using such…

Copyright and other intellectual property issues have dominated discussions of legal issues surrounding the Internet. There are other issues of considerable importance that also attract attention. Five legal issues affecting the Internet are addressed: copyright, online service-provider liability, database protection, obscenity, and privacy. Cited…

In July 2000, the Commonwealth Court (of Pennsylvania) issued a decision upholding Bethlehem School District's 10-day suspension of a middle-schooler who had created a website that childishly ridiculed a teacher and the principal. This decision is another that subordinates students' 14th Amendment rights to school-safety concerns. (MLH)

The 11th Circuit Court upheld a Georgia district's termination of an exemplary teacher who refused an immediate drug test after a police dog sniffed out a marijuana cigarette in her unlocked car. This case illustrates application of zero-tolerance policies to teachers and other personnel despite employees' signed contracts. (MLH)

Discusses the importance of drug-testing policies for educators by analyzing the recent Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal's decision in "Knox v. Knox." Concludes that mandatory drug testing for educators in safety-sensitive positions will not infringe on the constitutional rights of school employees. (Contains 30 footnotes.) (MLF)

Explores security challenges and practical approaches to safeguarding school networks against invasion. Highlights include security problems; computer viruses; privacy assaults; Internet invasions; building a security policy; authentication; passwords; encryption; firewalls; and acceptable use policies. (Author/LRW)

Discusses Web-based educational resources in the United Kingdom, focusing on current challenges of linking content with community and static information with dynamic news. Describes the evolution of three social sciences resources and examines sustainability, the need for collaboration, and data protection and privacy concerns. (Author/LRW)

Describes how many college officials are confused by the USA Patriot Act, a new anti-terrorism law that may affect campus networks and library records; they believe its provisions could raise privacy and academic freedom issues. (EV)

This review of computer-mediated communication (CMC) on the Internet focuses on empirical research in noninstitutional and nonorganizational contexts. Highlights include modes of CMC; appropriate uses; social effects; effects on language and communication; freedom of expression; community; personal impacts; privacy; ethics; democracy;…

In the current climate of concern about the privacy of medical records, the following topics should be addressed in the education of health professionals: the moral grounding of informed consent, the moral and legal obligations of professionals, the promise and perils of genetics research, and responsible research conduct. (SK)