D773 Technology and Ethics: Emerging Trends
and Society | 2025/2026 Tasks & Sample Content
Western Governors University | Ethics, Emerging Technology, Societal Impact & Policy Analysis
| Expert-Verified Task Formats & Reasoning Examples
Introduction
This course includes tasks focused on real-world scenarios involving emerging technologies and
ethical decision-making. Each task centers on privacy, consent, bias, policy frameworks, and
ethical theories such as deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. The tasks are designed to
guide development of structured critical thinking and written analysis.
Answer Format
Case responses are presented with clear structure: definition of dilemma, opposing options,
ethical frameworks, applied reasoning, and recommended ethically sound action. Key concepts
and terms are emphasized clearly.
Task 1: Ethical Dilemma Analysis
Scenario: A high school teacher discovers that an online platform providing convenient lesson
plans is collecting student data without consent, breaching privacy laws.
A1. Definition of Ethical Dilemma
The teacher faces a dilemma between continuing to use the platform for its convenience or
notifying the administration about the data breach, risking potential job repercussions or school
liability.
A2. Opposing Options
, ● Option 1: Continue Using the Platform Without Notification
This preserves the teacher’s efficiency but violates student privacy and legal standards,
potentially leading to lawsuits or job loss if discovered.
● Option 2: Notify Administration and Discontinue Use
This upholds ethical and legal obligations but may disrupt teaching and expose the
teacher to administrative scrutiny.
A3. Ethical Frameworks
● Deontology: Emphasizes duty to follow privacy laws and protect student rights,
favoring notification.
● Utilitarianism: Considers the greater good; protecting student data benefits more
individuals than the teacher’s convenience.
● Virtue Ethics: Highlights integrity and responsibility, supporting the teacher’s duty to
act ethically.
A4. Applied Reasoning
Using deontological principles, the teacher’s obligation to respect student privacy outweighs
personal convenience. Utilitarianism reinforces this by prioritizing the well-being of many
students over one teacher’s workflow. Virtue ethics underscores the importance of integrity in
maintaining trust. The risk of legal and ethical violations from silence further supports action.
A5. Recommended Action
The teacher should notify the administration immediately, discontinue use of the platform, and
propose alternative resources to ensure compliance and protect student data.
Task 2: Privacy and Ethical Issues in Technology
Scenario: A company implements AI facial recognition for employee monitoring, raising
concerns about privacy and bias.
A1. Privacy Issues
● Data Collection: Continuous monitoring collects sensitive facial data without explicit
consent.
● Security Risks: Stored data is vulnerable to breaches, risking identity theft.
● Lack of Control: Employees have limited ability to opt out or manage their data.
and Society | 2025/2026 Tasks & Sample Content
Western Governors University | Ethics, Emerging Technology, Societal Impact & Policy Analysis
| Expert-Verified Task Formats & Reasoning Examples
Introduction
This course includes tasks focused on real-world scenarios involving emerging technologies and
ethical decision-making. Each task centers on privacy, consent, bias, policy frameworks, and
ethical theories such as deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. The tasks are designed to
guide development of structured critical thinking and written analysis.
Answer Format
Case responses are presented with clear structure: definition of dilemma, opposing options,
ethical frameworks, applied reasoning, and recommended ethically sound action. Key concepts
and terms are emphasized clearly.
Task 1: Ethical Dilemma Analysis
Scenario: A high school teacher discovers that an online platform providing convenient lesson
plans is collecting student data without consent, breaching privacy laws.
A1. Definition of Ethical Dilemma
The teacher faces a dilemma between continuing to use the platform for its convenience or
notifying the administration about the data breach, risking potential job repercussions or school
liability.
A2. Opposing Options
, ● Option 1: Continue Using the Platform Without Notification
This preserves the teacher’s efficiency but violates student privacy and legal standards,
potentially leading to lawsuits or job loss if discovered.
● Option 2: Notify Administration and Discontinue Use
This upholds ethical and legal obligations but may disrupt teaching and expose the
teacher to administrative scrutiny.
A3. Ethical Frameworks
● Deontology: Emphasizes duty to follow privacy laws and protect student rights,
favoring notification.
● Utilitarianism: Considers the greater good; protecting student data benefits more
individuals than the teacher’s convenience.
● Virtue Ethics: Highlights integrity and responsibility, supporting the teacher’s duty to
act ethically.
A4. Applied Reasoning
Using deontological principles, the teacher’s obligation to respect student privacy outweighs
personal convenience. Utilitarianism reinforces this by prioritizing the well-being of many
students over one teacher’s workflow. Virtue ethics underscores the importance of integrity in
maintaining trust. The risk of legal and ethical violations from silence further supports action.
A5. Recommended Action
The teacher should notify the administration immediately, discontinue use of the platform, and
propose alternative resources to ensure compliance and protect student data.
Task 2: Privacy and Ethical Issues in Technology
Scenario: A company implements AI facial recognition for employee monitoring, raising
concerns about privacy and bias.
A1. Privacy Issues
● Data Collection: Continuous monitoring collects sensitive facial data without explicit
consent.
● Security Risks: Stored data is vulnerable to breaches, risking identity theft.
● Lack of Control: Employees have limited ability to opt out or manage their data.
