A Level/AP Computer Science | Ethics | Complete Interactive Lesson with Case Studies

Teach intellectual property, computer ethics and professional codes of conduct with this engaging, ready-to-use PowerPoint lesson for A Level and High School Computer Science.

Students explore the differences between legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues before applying their understanding to realistic computing scenarios. The lesson begins with the Airbus A380 software compatibility case and develops into classification activities, discussion tasks and an intellectual property case study.

The resource includes:

• 20 editable PowerPoint slides
• Clear learning objectives and key vocabulary
• Airbus A380 “Crack the Case” starter
• Legal, moral, ethical and cultural issue examples
• Coverage of privacy, intellectual property rights and the effects of computing on society
• Introduction to the IEEE, ACM and BCS codes of conduct
• Overview of the eight Software Engineering Code of Ethics principles
• “Case of Mikhail” application task
• Quick-fire intellectual property assessment
• Challenging extension activity using specific ethics sub-clauses
• Homework prompt

Students practise identifying intellectual property violations, distinguishing illegal conduct from unethical behaviour and supporting their judgements with evidence. The extension task also allows “insufficient information” as a justified conclusion, encouraging careful reasoning rather than guesswork.

Suitable for classroom teaching, revision, observation lessons, cover work or independent study.

Please note: references to a Google Form, shared Google Doc and Google Classroom are editable placeholders. Teachers can replace them with their own links or preferred submission method.