*Activity 11: Applied and Professional Ethics

*Activity 11: Applied and Professional Ethics

Article summary

There are two types of ethical studies discussed in Collste, 2012. These are applied and professional ethics. I think that there are aspects of both which can be deemed relevant to my practice as a primary school teacher.

Applied Ethics

In the absence of governing policy

The key point from applied ethics statement is around the use of applied ethics in the absence of governing policy,. This is particularly relevant to me as some of the new pedagogical approaches that are being utilised and trialled in my setting are not always specifically governed by the procedure, namely our cybersafety policy discussed in a previous blog. I feel that there is some degree of experimentation with regards to the teaching approach and the reflection upon this.

Reflective equilibrium

Another key concept identified in this reading was the concept of reflective equilibrium. The underpinning of this is making a justifiable argument for a situation or a position and using sound reasoning based on gaining insight and understanding from both sides of an argument. As stated in the article, the use of reflective equilibrium is only a provisional justification when making a decision around teaching and learning too. I think this is relevant in the school context because each and every decision will be site (context specific too) and each decision needs to weighted accordingly.

Professional ethics

Professional ethics as stated in the blog post is more relevant to the actual profession of teaching as it is the application or type of ethics that govern a profession. I think for me the key point from this is a professional needs to be aware of the virtues of good ethics that govern a good teacher. This however is not enough, also need to demonstrate these ethics which is where the application of teacher ethics and the registered teacher criteria applies..

I believe that teachers have an ethical obligation in all educational settings, students deserve teachers that have high expectations of them and provide learning experiences that are relevant and allow them to achieve success, that is access to learning is equitable. As professionals, teachers also have ethical considerations to make regarding relationships with parents and colleagues, who all play a major part in the education of students.

References

Collste, G. (2012) Applied and Professional ethics.  KEMANUSIAAN Vol. 19, No. 1, 17–33