“a public statement of ethical standards by (those) who fulfill public rather than private responsibilities.” (Hall, 2003)
Undoubtedly, we are living in the 21st century whereby the internet has enabled those of to have the ability to access limitless information right at our fingertips. Today, many of our students not only access the Internet through desktop and laptop computers at home or at school but also have numerous amounts of information at their fingertips via portable devices (e.g., iPods, iPads, smart phones). While more teachers welcome the increase technological world and look for ample ways to integrate digital literacy into our classrooms, many of us fear the idea of dealing with ethical issues should they arise.
As an educator keeping up with 21st century skills, I have come accustomed to Facebook, a social networking site that makes it easy for you to connect and share with your family and friends online. I frequently visit the site so I have close connections with whanau, keeping them up to date on our lives and vice versa, collaborating with work colleagues and wishing them a happy birthday LOL and past students (that are mostly related). In actual fact it is a great social site that keeps everyone connected. However as a teacher I am reluctant on accepting friend requests from present students (and yes I do get heaps of them).
We as educators have roles, responsibilities and should be committed to the profession. As stated Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers: Teachers will strive to advance the interests of the teaching profession through responsible ethical practice. (Education Council, n.d)
Teachers clearly need to differentiate between our own personal values and our professional obligations.
Ethical decision-making is challenging because teachers are often required to resolve tensions when their professional Code of Ethics is applied.
When balancing principals, the ethical principles underlying the Education Council Code of Ethics do not stand in isolation. The four principles exist in a continuing relationship of tension as illustrated in the following diagram:
(Education Council, nd)
So how do we as teachers make informed decisions when confronted with ethical problems?
One requirement is that we should recognize ethical problems when they occur and be capable of recognizing what is at risk. This is what Soltis (1986) refers to as raising teacher's ethical consciousness. A second requirement is the need for them to develop skills and strategies for exploring and solving those problems. Hall (2001)
By intentionally teaching ethics within a school context this will:
Help develop critical thinking skills
Focus on higher levels of Blooms’ taxonomy of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation
Assist learners in becoming critical consumers of technology
Facilitate the exploration of real world, authentic problems
Develop knowledge, skills, and judgement that can be used in both personal life and later in the workforce.
The process of making ethical decisions requires practice and is worthy of inclusion in both the pre-service education of teachers and their continuing professional development.
Reference:
Education Council. (n.d). The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers. Retrieved from https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/developing-code-of-professional-responsibility
Education Council. (n.d). The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers. Retrieved from https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/ethical-decisions
Hall, A. (2003, March) Notes on A Code Of Ethics For New Zealand Registered Teachers. Paper presented at the New Zealand Teachers Council Education Summit, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.nzei.org.nz/NZEI/About-Us/Ethics
Hall, A. (2001). What ought I to do, all things considered? An approach to the exploration of ethical problems by teachers. Paper presented at the IIPE Conference, Brisbane. Retrieved from http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Developing-leaders/What-Ought-I-to-Do-All-Things-Considered-An-Approach-to-the-Exploration-of-Ethical-Problems-by-Teachers
Hi Helena,
ReplyDeleteYour opening lines about what a code of ethics is and that it is “a public statement of ethical standards by (those) who fulfill public rather than private responsibilities.” (Hall, 2003) really sets the tone of your blog. We do, as educators need to be aware of our public responsibilities with the students that we teach. Your example, of using Facebook, especially with the friend’s requests from students and their families is very much something that most of us are dealing with right now.
We are needing to use technology in our everyday lives and as you have commented we do feel the fear of dealing with any ethical issues should they arise. It is becoming difficult not to be on Facebook or another form of media as more and more information is being given out on these sites just for activities we do every day. We need to be careful and think not only about our private lives but that of being an educator in our public life as we use this technology.
Your thoughts about recognising ethical problems when they occur and what is at risk means that you have a raised awareness that there could be an issue. We fill in Health and Safety forms including Risk Management forms for EOTC to indicate any foreseeable risks and how we are looking to manage these. Why can’t we do the same with any ethical issues?
What great skills a student would be developing if ethics were intentionally taught within a school context. As teachers we are wanting our students to be aware of their digital citizenship and that they need to protect their digital footprint as they become older.
Thanks for your blog Helena, it really made me think.
Im glad you took the time to read it Kristen and found some interesting issues to think about. I just needed to put it out there in regards to us as educators being professional and what risk could occur if we were all a bit blase' about what is ethically required in our daily profession. I agree with the RAMs and why not do the same with ethical issues? Another issue to think about. If we were to help students develop and realize skills in relation to being ethical around 21st century skills then maybe cyber bullying and other negative behaviors around technology can be lessened. Thanks for your comment Kristen. You also gave me more to think about.
ReplyDeleteKiaora Helena
ReplyDeleteI picked up on your comment about teachers recognising an ethical issue and understand what is at risk. I think that most teachers given a moment to think can identify potential issues and take the right course of action but often in the chaos of the day we don't get that moment to reflect. I think that is when your colleagues or peers must prod us to consider the issue in terms of the 4 principles of the Education Council Code of Ethics; Autonomy, Justice, Responsible Care and Truth. We need to be the voice of caution in their heads as they will be in ours.