So I just read the article by Collste on ethics - really interesting...I .had always known that ethics are an integral part of our systems but not really why... I have read and espoused the virtues of the Teachers Council statement of ethics...
I knew the professional ethics is a result of professional relations. I agree that one size does not simply fit all and you nave to apply ethics differently to suit practical problems.
The issues around technology and the ethics of new technology was interesting - I can't help but think of the 'new etiquette' of looking away as people enter their password in front of you! We even do it in the classroom now.
Beauchamp and Childress are quoted by Collste as proponents of the 4 principles of non-maleifience, beneficence, respect for autonomy and justice - this links to the reflective sides of the RTCs...
In fact he goes on to discuss Reflective Equilibrium and I found that really interesting...its about the use of reflection for decision making and justification of the decision. I am starting to see why the Teachers Council is so insistent that reflection play a large part in appraisal and the mentoring and guidance programme for new teachers. The way reflection takes us back and forth through the whys and morals and modifies our thinking is integral to forming good practice. Its really about the use of professional ethics in teaching - where we construct what we do and that is dependent on our relationships - defined in the document below much as Collste defined them in the reading.
I knew the professional ethics is a result of professional relations. I agree that one size does not simply fit all and you nave to apply ethics differently to suit practical problems.
The issues around technology and the ethics of new technology was interesting - I can't help but think of the 'new etiquette' of looking away as people enter their password in front of you! We even do it in the classroom now.
Beauchamp and Childress are quoted by Collste as proponents of the 4 principles of non-maleifience, beneficence, respect for autonomy and justice - this links to the reflective sides of the RTCs...
In fact he goes on to discuss Reflective Equilibrium and I found that really interesting...its about the use of reflection for decision making and justification of the decision. I am starting to see why the Teachers Council is so insistent that reflection play a large part in appraisal and the mentoring and guidance programme for new teachers. The way reflection takes us back and forth through the whys and morals and modifies our thinking is integral to forming good practice. Its really about the use of professional ethics in teaching - where we construct what we do and that is dependent on our relationships - defined in the document below much as Collste defined them in the reading.
Collste talks about how These relations include, for example, relations between teacher and pupil, and how Such relations generate professional moral norms, like honesty, fidelity, care and safety. This correlates to 1 on the registered teachers code of ethics - but we add in whanau as well here - widening the social implications. Good thing. Relationships to employers as defined by Collste would be the commitment to society I think... Collste's Relations to workmates and employers is covered by the Registered teachers commitment to the profession (4) and he mentions how these relations generate moral norms, for example, loyalty and confidentiality Interesting to see the fundamental principles guiding this are Autonomy, Justice, Responsible Care and Truth REALLY similar to Beauchamp and Childess' 4 principles So now I know from whence it came! AHA moment! Everyone should know this! He goes on to say the development of professional ethics is a response to moral problems facing professionals in their work. This makes them real. | |
I think what I took most from this reading was the knowledge that reflection (or as Collste calls it 'reflective equilibrium' - reached after going back and forth a few times) is the key to understanding the ethics. We do what we do and then we reflect on why we made the decisions we made and how they impact on ourselves and others. - The key to change is ethical challenge. The key to challenge as I see it is reflection. Interesting how it's all coming together.