Professional Ethics in Teaching Online Module Slides PDF

ETHICS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION EDUC2021 Online Module Sabah Al Balushi 1  Introduction (Video) Hello students! Have you ever found yourself in a situation, despite your best intentions, your a...

ETHICS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION EDUC2021 Online Module Sabah Al Balushi 1  Introduction (Video) Hello students! Have you ever found yourself in a situation, despite your best intentions, your actions led to unexpected consequences? Over the next two weeks, we’ll explore similar scenarios within the teaching profession. We’ll examine the ethics that guide teaching and the responsibilities and duties teachers hold. This topic will be covered in two parts: an online session and face-to-face lessons where you’ll have the chance to interact with your classmates and instructor. 2  Introduction (Video, Cont’d) By the end of these two weeks, you will be able to: 1. Appreciate the core ethics and values of the teaching profession and understand practical ways to uphold them. 2. Apply your knowledge of ethics and teacher responsibilities to critically analyze real-world scenarios that present ethical challenges. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of how ongoing professional development supports teacher’s growth and effectiveness. 3 Video (cont’d) Let’s begin with a thought-provoking quote by Winston Churchill: “Teachers make a living by what they get, but they make a life by what they give.” Do you agree with Churchill’s words? What do they mean to you? This quote highlights the value of earning a living through teaching, but it also underscores the impact of giving back to society. How does this relate to ‘ethics’? As you delve into this topic, you’ll begin to see the connection and the meaningful contributions teachers make to their communities. 4 Video (cont’d) What are ethics? What do they mean to you? Exercise: Take a moment to think about the word “ethics”. What comes to mind? Write down your thoughts. (pause). 5 Cont’d; show image Here’s an image that represents ethics in life and business: highlighting concepts such as principles, morals, integrity, fairness, honesty, honor, choice, responsibility, conscience and values. Did any of these words come to mind? Ethics play a role in all our lives, guiding us to make thoughtful, responsible choices. But, what exactly does ‘ethics’ mean? Source: Before we define it, let’s consider this https://www.scu.edu/mobi/resources--tools/blog-posts/ethic s-in-life-and-business/ethics-in-life-and-business.html scenario. 6  Scenario Presentation (New Video: Motion Graphics) Ms. Fatma is a senior biology teacher at an international school in Oman, recognized for her dedication and popularity among students. She consistently prepares her lessons thoroughly and devotes her full attention to every class. The school serves a diverse student body, representing different nationalities. In her effort to ensure that most students grasp complex biological concepts, Ms. Fatma often explains these concepts in Arabic, the language spoken by the majority of her students. However, in doing so, she unintentionally excludes three non-Arabic speaking students, Megan, Andrew and Chloe, who find it challenging to follow the lesson. While Ms. Fatma’s intention is to support the majority, her decision creates an ethical dilemma. By prioritizes some students, she inadvertently neglects others. Reflection - Interactive Content Reflection Q1: What ethical challenges does this situation present? (Add a box for students to write their responses) Reflection Q2: What actions should Ms. Fatma take to enhance her professional practices and create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment? (Add a box for students to write their responses.) 7  Scenario Analysis (New Video) This scenario raises important questions about fairness, inclusivity, and the responsibilities of teachers in a multilingual and multicultural setting. Although Ms. Fatma intends to help the majority of her students (Arabic speakers), her approach unintentionally excludes non-Arabic-speaking students, such as Megan, Andrew, and Chloe. In a diverse classroom, prioritizing one language can lead to feelings of isolation or exclusion, particularly for minority groups. This situation underscores the importance of inclusive teaching practices that address the needs of all students, regardless of their linguistic backgrounds. Teachers have an ethical responsibility to ensure that every student has equal access to learning opportunities. By conducting lessons in Arabic, Ms. Fatma inadvertently disadvantages her non-Arabic speaking students, raising concerns about fairness. Every student, regardless of their language proficiency, should have an equal opportunity to learn and succeed. 8  Analysis (cont’d) (Video) Moreover, focusing solely on one language may cause Ms. Fatma to overlook the cultural diversity present in her class. Cultural and linguistic sensitivity is a vital ethical component of effective teaching. Ms. Fatma must adapt her teaching methods to accommodate the needs of all students and foster a supportive and respectful learning environment for everyone. While her intentions are commendable, this scenario reveals a gap in her practice concerning her ethical duty to every student. It demonstrates the importance of reflection and ongoing professional development in teaching to enhance inclusivity and equity in the classroom. 9  Defining Ethics Interactive Content (Text) Let’s return to the question: What are ethics? Take a moment to study this word cloud. Based on the terms and concepts you see, can you formulate a definition of ethics? (add a box for students to write their responses. 10  Definition of Ethics (Cont’d) Ethics “is based on well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues”. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/what-is-ethics/ 11  How did ethics originate? “Ethics could have come into existence only when human beings started to reflect on the best way to live. This reflective stage emerged long after human societies had developed some kind of morality, usually in the form of customary standards of right and wrong conduct.” https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethics-philosophy 12  Cont’d (Interactive Content) In simple terms, ethics are moral principles that govern human behavior. They play a crucial role in helping individuals determine which actions are acceptable and which are not. Ethics are often grounded in societal rules, including laws, customs and religious teachings. 13  Professional Ethics (Interactive content) Professional Ethics: are a set of rules or standards that guide the behaviour of people in a certain profession, e.g. the medical profession, the teaching profession, engineering and journalism. They encompass the personal and group standards of behaviour expected by professionals or members of a profession. They may include morals such as honesty, transparency, accountability, respect, loyalty, obedience to the law, fairness, trustworthiness, and integrity. Every profession in human society has ethical rules that must be observed and adhered to by individuals. 14  (Interactive content) There are key qualities or characteristics that define a profession, contributing to the establishment of professional standards and ethical practices across various fields. Question: Which of the following is not considered a characteristic of a profession? A. Initial professional education B. Code of ethics C. Skills development D. Personal hobbies 15 Answer: Which of the following is not considered a characteristic of a profession? A. Initial professional education B. Code of ethics C. Skills development D. Personal hobbies Correct Answer: D 16  What makes teaching a profession? (Video 3) Teaching is considered a profession because it requires years of learning, training and skill development. Ethics play a critical role in defining teaching as a profession. The ethics of the teaching profession significantly influence the behavior of educators. It creates an internal guide, promoting self-reflection and accountability in their work. It also shapes their relationships with others. The ethical framework assists educators in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities and upholding their rights. Commitment to these ethical standards is both necessary and obligatory for educators. Their dedication to the principles and ethics of the teaching profession not only defines their affiliation with it, but also positions them as role models for their students to emulate. 17  Importance of Professional Ethics for Teachers (Interactive Content) Professional ethics are essential in guiding teachers as they fulfil their vital role in shaping students’ behavior and instilling desirable values in them. These ethics help teachers understand their responsibilities and the impact of their profession on both their personal and professional lives as well as within the broader educational context. Professional ethics dictate how teachers interact with students, ensuring fairness in teaching, assessment, and discipline. They also influence how teachers engage with colleagues, administrators, students’ parents, and the community, fostering respectful and productive relationships. By adhering to ethical standards, teachers not only become role models for their students but also contribute to creating a positive and supportive learning environment. 18  Interactive Content (Cont’d) Teachers frequently encounter ethical challenges and must remain aware of the ethical dimensions and responsibilities inherent in their profession. Teachers must exercise sound judgement in their decision-making. Their responses to ethical complexities may vary. For example, new teachers might approach situations differently than experienced teachers and their actions can also depend on specific context, and their own ethical and moral development. 19  Interactive content (Cont’d) To support teachers in upholding high professional standards and making sound ethical decisions in their work, there is a vital need for: a code of ethics in education. 20  What is a Code of Ethics? Interactive Content (text) - It’s a fundamental aspect of professional societies, including teachers, nurses, engineers, and others. It articulates the rights, duties and responsibilities of members within these professions. - A code of ethics serves as a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct their work honestly and with integrity. - This document may outline the mission and values of the business or organization, provide guidance on how professionals should approach problems, establish ethical principles based on the organization's core values, and define the standards to which the professionals are held. 21  Interactive Content (text) (show one item at a time) A Code of Ethics is important because: 1. It brings members together as a profession. 2. It provides a framework or common set of rules or standards for all members in the profession to adhere to. 3. It defines best practices for the profession. 4. It provides a basis to meet compliance requirements for the profession. 5. It provides a legal standard for the profession. 6. It helps as a watchdog for the profession to guard against undesired practices. Adapted from: https://www.yourmembership.com/blog/code-ethics-important/ 22 Which values should guide the Code of Ethics? Interactive Content (Text & Q) Now that you understand what a code of ethics is its purpose, let’s consider this question: which ethics and values should guide the Code of Ethics? In her book, The Ethical School (1998, pp 184-185), Felicity Haynes presents several theories designed to help teachers navigate difficult situations within a school in the most ethical and effective ways: Objectivism: the theory that there are moral truths that hold regardless of how anyone feels about them. These are concepts of ethics such as honesty, promise-keeping, goodness, justice. Relativism: the theory that ethical beliefs are relative to a particular person, group or time rather than absolute. Subjectivism: the theory that moral standards depend on the feelings of the individual. Hence, no action is right or wrong in itself. 23  Interactive Content (cont’d) Question: If we are to develop a code of ethics in teaching, which theory should it be based on? (Select One) A. Objectivism B. Relativism C. Subjectivism D. All of them E. None of them 24  Interactive Content (cont’d) Writers in the field of teaching profession ethics have criticized relativism and subjectivism, arguing that ethical interpretations and professional decisions should not be based on an individual’s or a group’s feelings. Instead, objective principles and values should be the foundation of any ‘code of ethics’. Therefore, the Correct Answer to the question is A. Objectivism. 25 In the next face-to-face sessions, we will: Compare examples of codes of ethics from Oman as well as various countries in the region and around the world. Explore teachers’ professional responsibilities and duties. Address the professionalization of teaching. 26