Principle 1 – Public
During
the workshop we provided students with information and ways on using IT for:
1. Education
2. Social
activities
3. Communication
4. Professional
and formal activities
Moreover,
we discussed risks when utilising IT in those area and advised them on how
those risks can be mitigated. In addition, we discussed potential opportunities
and career paths in IT.
We have
spent a few days as a group putting these material together and making sure
what we present to students are accurate and valid as per item 1.1 (“1.1 Accept
full responsibility for their own work”.)
As described in the intro section, as professionals
we took the initiative to volunteer and use our skills to good use and
contribute to public education. We encouraged the students at the workshop to
share their skills with their family members and immediate community (i.e.
teaching a parent to use computer to type a letter or sent an email, teach a younger
cousin or a sibling to how to use a search engine properly, etc.). Item 1.8 relates to above mentioned aspects (“1.8 be
encouraged to volunteer professional skills to good causes and contribute to
public education concerning the discipline.)
Principle 2 – Client and employer
Item 2.01 states “Provide service in their areas
of competence, being honest and forthright about any limitations of their
experience and education.” When we
approach the teacher of this IT class, we explained who we are and our
credentials (degree, university, academic year), objectives and limitation of
IT knowledge and experience. After making sure the teacher was very much
comfortable with our candid discussion we agreed the date for the workshop
giving the teacher plenty of time to convey the objectives of the workshops to
students as well. During the workshop
there were a few questions from students where we didn’t quite know the answers
to. We were honest with students at every question and made sure those
questions were noted down to provide clarity on those at a later date.
The
follow up communications (calls, emails, text messages) and details of students
were made confidential in line with item “2.05 keep private any
confidential information gained in their professional work, where such
confidentiality is consistent with the public interest and consistent with the
law.”
Principle 3 – Product
3.01 Strive
for high quality, acceptable cost and a reasonable schedule, ensuring
significant trade-offs are clear to and accepted by the employer and the
client, and are available for consideration by the user and the public.
We were
fully prepared for our workshop with a clear agenda which was communicated to
the teacher and students in advance to make sure they come prepared with any
queries. Throughout the workshop, we made sure we stick to the agenda and
timings to ensure we cover all areas on-time as planned. During the Q&A session we had we
realized, we were running out of time; therefore, we noted down all queries we
couldn’t answer on time with the view to respond to those offline.
3.02 Ensure
proper and achievable goals and objectives for any project on which they work
or propose.
As
mentioned in the beginning of this section, we made sure we have a clear
objective for the workshop before approaching the teacher. Our goal was to
uplift IT knowledge of the society so that they can utilise the IT in their
day-to-day lives. We are planning to do
the same for our future work such as conducting workshops in rural schools and tuition
classes and doing promotional campaigns over the internet.
It was
key that everyone in the team was aware of IT laws and were on the same page.
While preparing, and during the workshop we made sure not to violate any laws.
(3.03 Identify, define and address ethical, economic, cultural, legal
and environmental issues related to work projects.)
Principle 4 – Judgment
This
workshop and the future work we plan to transfer IT knowledge as a group will
be free of charge completely, therefore, we will not be violating item 4.04
- “Not engage in deceptive financial practices such as bribery, double billing,
or other improper financial practices.”
Principle 5 – Management
5.01 Ensure
good management for any project on which they work, including effective
procedures for promotion of quality and reduction of risk.
Planning
and preparing is key to success of any project regardless the scale of it. In addition to planning the date ahead and
preparing an agenda, we made sure everyone in the team is properly prepared and
rehearsed. We spent time on online group conversations making sure everyone was
on the same page and to make sure we help each other in problem areas. We
agreed a small budget, planned travelling and made sure all required equipment
are ready ahead of the workshop. In
addition, we made sure we reached well before the start of the workshop to
set-up the equipment, just so there were no last minute surprises.
5.12 Not
punish anyone for expressing ethical concerns about a project.
Considering
about that point is starting very beginning of the project where is when we
were asking for the workshop we confirmed that they have no any ethical issues
about our project and also after finished the workshop we asked from students
that if you have any good or bad comments with regarding our workshop feel free
to let us know and if you give us negative point about project we accept that
with decent manner.
Principle 6 – Profession
6.02 Promote
public knowledge of software engineering.
One of
the objectives of our workshop was to promote public knowledge of software
engineering. We discussed the
opportunities in the university and career opportunities in software
engineering in Sri Lanka and overseas.
In
addition, we discussed the IT professional bodies such as BCS we have
registered in, online blogs and documents published by professional bodies and
organisations and where to obtain scholar publications from (IEEE, etc) - 6.03 Extend
software engineering knowledge by appropriate participation in professional
organizations, meetings and publications.
Principle 7 – Colleagues
7.01 Encourage
colleagues to adhere to this Code.
While
prepping for workshop and in all other professional dealings we encourage our
colleagues and friends to adhere to this code.
Additionally,
we encouraged the students during the workshop to regularly read tech blogs and
other activities to enhance their professional development. Moreover, as a team
we are encouraging each other and share ideas on how we could further improve
our professional development (“7.02 Assist colleagues in professional
development.”)
7.03 Credit
fully the work of others and refrain from taking undue credit.
While
conducting the workshop we made sure all references were correctly specified in
presentation material and we made sure it’s communicated to students clearly (sources
can be person’s creations, organization’s publications, blogs, public material
etc.)
7.05 Give
a fair hearing to the opinions, concerns, or complaints of a colleague.
When
deciding which activity we should prioritise first, everyone in the team came
up with a few suggestion. My idea was to conduct a workshop in the town council
or a government organisation but team members voted for IT tuition class and
finally I agreed with them since they had a valid point (since in tuition class
we have huge audience interested in IT)
Principle 8 – Self
8.06 Improve
their knowledge of this Code, its interpretation, and its application to their
work.
While
preparing for the workshop we had a good review of the code of conduct and made
sure we applied it correctly in this activity. It’s quite clear that a theory
becomes much more valuable and understood, when it’s put to action.
8.08 Not
influence others to undertake any action that involves a breach of this Code.
As we
are fully aware how important this code of conduct, we always try not to
influence others to breach this code of conduct by taking any in appropriate
actions. Throughout the workshop we
tried our best to communicate this to our audience and we will endeavour to do
so in the future as well.
