Code Of Ethics of Engineers

The Fundamental Principles

Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:

I. using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;

II. being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, theiremployers and clients;

III. striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineeringprofession; and

IV. supporting die professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

The Fundamental Canons

1565. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties.

1566. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.

1567. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

1568. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.

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1569. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with qthers.

1570. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity and dignity of the profession.

7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout theircareers and shall provide opportunities for the professional 'development of thoseengineers under their supervision.

(Adapted from the Internet)

Commitment of the Profession to Society

In fulfilling obligations to society, the Association on behalf of the profession:

1571. Shall promote safe and healthy technological learning environments.

1572. Shall promote positive and minimize negative environmental impacts of educational technologies.

Background: For more than 10 years the Professional Ethics Committee has greatly benefited from the leadership of Paul Welliver toward increasing the awareness of professional ethics among Association members. Among other actions, the Committee has reviewed and revised the Code, added one new principle, organized presentations, published scenarios interpreting each principle in TechTrends, and currently has a book in production.

However, there has been little enforcement and in the words of James D. Finn in the first issue of Audio Visual Communications Review, "The publication of codes of ethics and manuals of standards in itself guarantees nothing." In the absence of complaints from our clients, whether they are trainee airplane mechanics or sixth graders, Association members have not been disciplined for violations of the Code.

The Professional Ethics Committee is active, nevertheless, and has on request provided letters in support of members who stand by the Code in their professional roles. It has also facilitated the processing of complaints between members on matters that may be characterized as thoughtlessly offensive or unintentionally rude. Formal hearings have not occurred and the Committee's procedures were modified in the last couple of years to be consistent with the normal practice of informal resolution.

The Committee became concerned in the early 1990s that the Code may lack true effectiveness. Protecting the public by policing ourselves to identify quacks and charlatans is not possible. Indeed, we should become more competitive with similar professional organizations involved with technology by looking outside of the Association and being explicitly committed to society.

The Committee worked on the problem for several years. First, the Committee analyzed the situation to understand what it meant. Second, the Committee considered possible actions and outcomes. Third, the Committee decided to add a new section to the Code. Fourth, the Committee deliberated over constructing new principles.

Professional ethics

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The Proposed Section 4 of the AECT Code of Professional Ethics Establishing Section 4 in the Code will remedy the deficiency in social obligation. The principles in this section will show increased responsibility. The Committee will act by developing guidelines, where they are needed, and by publishing informative scenarios. For example, a draft scenario for Principle 1 explains that furniture as well as equipment and software must be appropriate when setting up computer learning stations. A draft scenario for Principle 2 indicates that nonrenewable resources are a significant factor in educational computing. Other principles under consideration for Section 4 uphold cultural diversity, intellectual freedom, and open access to information regardless of delivery medium. The Committee welcomes any suggestions for further ways to demonstrate how the Association is committed to society in our professional ethics.

Suggestions for Further Reading

Abbott, A. D. (1988). The system of professions: An essay on the division of expert labor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Coady, M., & Bloch, S. (Eds.) (1997). Codes of ethics and the professions. Victoria, Australia: Melbourne University Press.

Gieryn, T. F. (1995). Boundaries of science. In S. Jasanoff, G. E. Markle, J. С Petersen, & T. Pinch (Eds.). Handbook of science and technology studies (pp. З9З-44З). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Macdonald, K. M. (1995). The sociology of the professions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Tannen, D. (1998). The argument culture: Moving from debate to discussion. New York: Random House.

Yeaman, A. R. J. (February 20, 1998). Chair for Professional Ethics in Practice presented by J. N. Eastmond, V. S. Napper, R. G. Nichols, A. С Sherry, & P. W. Welliver. Association for Educational Communications and Technology convention, St. Louis, MO. [Reported by'Heebner, A. L. (1998) TechTrends 43(3), 58.1]

Yeaman, A. R. J., Koetting, J. R., & Nichols, R. G. (February 19, 1998). The 14th Foundations Symposium: Continuing to Explore and Question the Theoiy/Practice of Our Field. Association for Educational Communications and Technology convention, St. Louis, MO. Reported by Hall, L. (1998) TechTrends 43(3), 4849.1

Yeaman, A. R. J. (February 14, 1997). The cyborg discourse. In the session on Histories of Educational Technology: Considerations and Techniques. Association for Educational Communications and Technology convention, Albuquerque, NM. Reported by Shutkin, D. S. (1997) TechTrends 42 (3), 52-53.1

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Yeaman, A. R. J. (February 13, 1997). Searching for moral discourse relevant to professional ethics. Association for Educational Communications and Technology convention, Albuquerque, NM. Reported by Bromley, H. (1997) TechTrends 42(3), 50-51.1

Yeaman, A. R. J. (1997). The discourse on technology. In R. M. Branch & В. B. Minor (Eds.), Educational media and technology yearbook Volume 22 (pp. 46-60). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

(Adapted from the Internet)