Facing Ethical Dilemmas and Learning Ethical Decision-making

In-class Activity: Facing Ethical Dilemmas and Learning Ethical Decision-making

What is an ethical dilemma?

An ethical decision (GILO6) is a decision you need to make by reference to your own moral and ethical values when you are facing a dilemma because of conflicts of interests and/or beliefs. These conflicts can be, for example:

• between your own self-interest/beliefs and others’; or
• between your own educational belief and the school policy/expectations/ practices; or 
• among students, teachers or other stakeholders.

Ethical Dilemma Case Studies

Discuss one of the following cases which requires ethical decision-making. 

Use the steps given in the table below to guide you in deciding how to deal with the case.

1. What is the ethical dilemma?

What interest/belief of yours is at stake? Who else’s interests are involved? What are the interests/beliefs of each of the other stakeholders involved? How do these different interests/beliefs conflict with each other? What is the ethical dilemma for you?

2. What is my position and belief?

Whose interests/beliefs will you consider? What are the implications for the others whose interests/beliefs are not considered (e.g., who will you disadvantage)? What will you do to resolve the dilemma?

3. What is the justification of my decision?

Explain why you choose to go for one party’s interests at the expense of the others’. Why do you think your decision is ethically appropriate? What moral and ethical values and beliefs guide your reasoning and decision process?

4. Find your assigned case number and post your answers to Padlet at this link:
https://padlet.com/timhk/ethicaldecisions2023

Case 1

A student (say, Ben) told you confidentially that he is often beaten by his father.  He asked you, and you promised, not to tell anybody else because he is afraid that his father will beat him more if he knows he has told others.  When you saw some scars on Ben’s body the next week, you asked the Principal what you should do if there are students who got beaten at home (without telling Ben’s name).  You were disappointed when the Principal asked you not to risk tarnishing the name of the school and hinted that you should just ignore it.  

Case 2

In your second teaching practice, you have a class of students you do not find easy with classroom management.  There are two SEN students who you find particularly difficult to deal with.  They often disturb your lessons.  You have tried different ways e.g., you talked to the two students after class to find out how you can help them behave better in class.  Your supporting teacher has also helped you with this but you still cannot handle them well.  You only got a pass grade for your first supervision partly because you failed to manage the class well and these two SEN students had caused you a lot of trouble.  Your second supervision is scheduled for the coming week.  Your supporting teacher is very caring and supportive.  She offers to take away the two SEN students from the classroom during your second supervised lesson and she will have the lesson with these two students in another room.