The Respectful

and

Ethical Mind

Developing a student's ethics and respectfulness of others is a major challenge in today's society. There are constant news (media) stories about how people have made the wrong choices, and are paying for it. These range from sports issues (the Saint's injury bounty) to illegal or pirated music, videos or games, to politicians and the government. Many students look at these incidents, and agree that it is wrong and at least verbally condemn the perpetrators. Almost as many look at them and admire their audacity or try to figure out a way to do the same without getting caught.

How do we, as teachers, help to develop a positive, respectful and ethical mind within today's students?

Unless a student is already the evil genius who is intent on taking over the world, leading by example, and making students aware of the illegality of such sites as PIRATE BAY, BEEMP3, LIMEWIRE and others is the first step. Also make them aware of the penalties of being caught.

How?

Look to the news. Many examples of the use of these sites, and the penalties for doing so, are posted and touted on by the media. Whenever something of this nature arises, bring it to the attention of the students and discuss the issue. Make sure that it is in the open, not something to be swept under the rug...

How do we use digital media to do this?

I am in a unique situation this week.

I am currently at the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association leadership conference. There are almost 2,000 middle and high school students here (including 20 of my own) competing in over 80 different events. I took some time and interviewed several different groups of students as to what they felt were problems with respectability and ethical issues within their schools, and within the digital media which they participate in.

The top five responses were:

· Bullying

· Piracy / Plagiarism

· Racism / Religion

· Environmental

· Workplace / school ethics

The next question that I posed was a little more difficult. I asked what teacher's could do in the classroom, using digital media, to make these issues more public, and to enforce proper responses / insights / behavior towards them. These responses were, for the most part, a little more ambiguous. Some suggested making a PowerPoint, some suggested playing news articles when they occurred and having a classroom discussion. Some suggested leading by example. One person, however, thought outside the box. They suggested making a game, or even a right / wrong web quest.

What an idea!

Here is a general idea of how this could work:

1. Have a classroom discussion on respectability / ethical issues

2. Have the students list & choose 4-5 major topics

3. Split the class into groups, with each group covering a different topic

4. Each group must come up with 4-5 serious questions (i.e. What would you do if...)

and 2-3 negative responses and at least on good one

5. Using Glogster (or similar), students create a page with the primary question

and all answers. Each answer takes the viewer to a new

link / site which expounds the positive or negative aspect

of the choice made. Negative aspects could include news

or video clips of negative consequences. Positive aspect

will move person on to next question / level.

6. Each of these question pages would be linked through a main page created by the teacher, and the number of links needed to get through

the questions could be recorded, with the lowest score

being the winner, and the most ethical person...

A good bit of work, definitely, but something that could probably be done in a 5-10 class rotation, and definitely something that will not only expose the students to moral and ethical questions, and the results of those questions, but also to digital media development. The intensity of the questions could be regulated for almost any grade level, and the simplicity of Glogster would make it a project for almost any grade level.

One last comment to make.  Something to remember.  We can teach the basics of morality, respect and ethics, but we can not make the student conform to them.  We can lead by example, put our best foot forward, and preach to the choir, but that does not mean that everyone will sing the same song.  Even if they give the answers that are considered correct, that does not mean they will abide by those answers.