“Did I do good?”: The Teaching and Learning of Ethics

Abstract

We often assume that students will simply understand specific ethical requirements as they progress, but in reality this does not happen. Students need instruction in ethics. With adherence to the Tri-Council’s ethics policy now mandatory for university research with human participants, understanding of ethics is a necessity. We need students to be empowered to understand and appreciate ethics. This article explains an interactive discussion model, based on teaching experience. Students are assigned readings, with guiding questions, and come to class for a discussion of ethical issues and principles. Details and examples of discussions are given. More must be done to help students develop true understanding of ethics and their application, and engagement in discussion is a crucial tool to achieve this end.