LCB006 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Ethical Dilemma
14 Jun 2018
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What common ethical dilemmas do teachers face in their work?
Critical incidents
• Starts with a dilemma between two courses of action: i.e. how do I behave among staff in a
service-agency or what to say in response to a service-user?
• Can reveal our hidden assumptions and demonstrate our learning
• May lead to acceptance, change and transformation of our beliefs and actions
• May cause feelings of embarrassment, discomfort or confusion
• Two types of dilemma may be at the core of a critical incident:
o Ethical dilemma - "a situation where an individual is faced with a difficult choice
between two or more competing goods or between two or more competing harms"
(Bourke & O'Neill, 2012, p.94)
o Pedagogical dilemma: "a situation in which the teacher is unsure what professional
knowledge or skills to deploy" (Bourke & O'Neill, 2012, p.101)
• Use these approach to explain why other people are making ethical decisions
Character/Structure Approach
• Think about your communities of childhood and how they have influenced your life
An Ethic of Inclusive Education
• Social and Cultural Context - Bourke & O'Neill, p.105
o Make a decision and take into account the social and cultural context
• Think of education policy - what does it say about inclusion and educational support?
• General comment no.4
• Inclusive education statement Queensland
• Example: When teacher finds it really hard to teach everyone, always back up support in
enrichment centre. Students who are struggling can be sent there. While this is part of the
policy, needs are serving that school. Another policy that says students should have the
support they need in the classroom.
o Consider what the benefit is for multiple students
o Social/cultural: school in low-ses area where everyone is welcomed, students are facing
challenging and demanding and complex situations at home
• Dilemma is when have to make a decision between two or more competing goods
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