Integrating ethical, societal and environmental issues into algorithm design courses

TL;DR

This paper presents a case study for computer science educators on integrating ethical, societal, and environmental considerations into algorithm design courses using real-world navigation software as a teaching example.

Contribution

It offers a practical framework and resources for teaching ethical issues alongside technical algorithm concepts in computer science education.

Findings

Enhanced student understanding of ethical issues in algorithms

Effective integration of societal concerns into technical coursework

Positive student feedback on ethical discussions in technical contexts

Abstract

This document, intended for computer science teachers, describes a case study that puts into practice a questioning of ethical, societal and environmental issues when designing or implementing a decision support system. This study is based on a very popular application, namely road navigation software that informs users of real-time traffic conditions and suggests routes between a starting point and a destination, taking these conditions into account (such as Waze). The approach proposes to intertwine technical considerations (optimal path algorithms, data needed for location, etc.) with a broader view of the ethical, environmental and societal issues raised by the tools studied. Based on the authors' experience conducting sessions with students over several years, this document discusses the context of such a study, suggests teaching resources for implementing it, describes ways to structure discussions, and shares scenarios in different teaching contexts.