Evaluating the Role of Ethics Education in Shaping College Students' Ethical Engagement in Computing Technology

A preliminary program evaluation investigates how embedding ethics in computer science curricula (i.e., the CS+EE Program) impacts college students' ethical engagement in computing technology. In a sample of 240 college students enrolled in CS+EE courses, simple linear regressions revealed two essential factors that are associated with greater self-perceived abilities and skills in handling ethical issues: greater exposure to the CS+EE Program and stronger self-reported growth mindset beliefs about ethical issues in computing technology. Results suggest that CS+EE college programs can play a significant role in shaping the skills, abilities, and beliefs that students need to engage effectively with ethical issues in their studies and future work.