Concept note and research proposal abstract on intersection between ethics in the digital era through contemporary prayers

Concept note

Examining ethics in the digital era through contemporary prayers represents a valuable intersection of advanced technology and human spirituality. These modern prayers and reflections act as ethical guidelines that anchor us, providing a necessary counterbalance to the rapid pace, algorithm-driven commercialization, and digital alienation characteristic of today's technology. Essential insights from New Age prayers should emphasize the importance of Cultivating Presence over Productivity, focusing on mindfulness and contemplative practices. In a time dominated by algorithmic efficiency, these approaches encourage us to disconnect from our devices and appreciate stillness instead of relentless productivity. Current theological and spiritual viewpoints must underscore human exceptionalism. Prayers in the digital age frequently emphasize the intrinsic worth of each individual, protecting against the tendency to view people merely as data points, consumers of digital technology, or subservient to AI.

A research proposal abstract

Title: Ethics in Age of Technology: Insights from New Age Prayers as Micro-Credential Course for Students of Grade Eight

Abstract: With the adoption of credits-based interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary courses and assessments, there is an opportunity to develop innovative in-house micro-credential courses at the elementary level and macro-credential courses at the secondary and higher education levels. At the middle school level, 12-15 hour micro-credential courses have been permitted as school-based innovations. In light of this, an initiative was undertaken to design a micro-credential course on techno-ethics for eighth-grade students. The research on objectives-outcomes driven curriculum development had three main objectives: (1) To create four new age prayers of 5-6 lines that emphasize techno-ethics; (2) To establish a process for the transaction and memorization of the prayers; and (3) To compose a four-page research report on new age prayers as an experiential learning activity. Four hours have been allocated for mastering the content of the prayers and their recitation, while eight hours are designated for report writing for credits-based assessment. As this curriculum development research is set to be implemented in the upcoming academic session, the three outcomes of the objectives-driven study are in the form of a mini-book on techno-ethics prayers and a process for classroom engagement with the prayers, focusing on listening, speaking, reading, vocabulary building and memorization skills. The course developer, as a human agent, gained profound insights into techno-ethics and assisted students in using cyberspace ethically and safely.

Keywords: Communication skills, credits-based assessment, curriculum development, human agency, new age prayers, techno-ethics