Activity 4 - Influence of Law & Ethics in Practice

When I think of an ethical dilemma that all primary school teachers, followed by secondary school teachers could be facing in the near future, one that comes to mind is the bargaining process NZEI members will be going through with their new collective agreement coming up.  On the surface, this is not necessarily a digital or online ethical problem for most teachers, however I can see ethical issues can come into play from media and personal blogging.

The NZEI bargaining team has started the negotiation with the the New Zealand Government over their new collective agreement.  Having just attended an NZEI PLD day on the process this bargaining will take, I can see how points of views could easily get out of hand.  During this week (starting 5th March), all NZEI members and the media will have knowledge of what the bargaining team are asking for.  The media can easily pick this up and work it in a number of ways:

1. Yes, it is about time that primary school teachers get paid what they are worth
2. Teachers are over worked, underpaid and extremely stressed - time to support them
3. What are primary school teachers complaining about - they already get enough holidays
4. If primary school teacher think about striking, what about the parents and their children - who will look after them?

In this multimedia world that we live in, media have the responsibility to accurately publish information that informs its readers with all points of view and not to spin a point of view that is going to provide the platform for more newspapers being sold.

I believe that it is important that all teachers share their stories of what is happening in their workplace.  Do not provide the opportunity for the media to blend the truth that is going to suit them - In Trump's words "Fake News!"  It is very easy to start a chain reaction, using social media that can have a negative impact on teachers.  I believe that it is about time that teachers stand up, present the correct information and not be afraid of some of the negative impact it could come their way.

When thinking about the most effective ethical decision-making model in this situation, I think of Preston and Samford with Connors' (2002) model:

1. Analyzing the situation
2. Considering dispositional factors
3. Developing a comprehensive assessment of the alternatives
4. Making a judgement
5. Documenting the decision and being able to justify it

I think that these five steps would provide the media with the opportunity to clearly report the facts and information accurately.  I really think step 1 and 5 are highly important.  Analyze the situation - gather as much information as possible and dig a bit deeper.  Step 5:  Documenting the decision and being able to justify it - as well as reporting the facts and information, justify your thinking.

Let's not let the FAKE NEWS take over.

Reference List:

Lisa Catherine Ehrich , Megan Kimber , Jan Millwater & Neil Cranston (2011)

Ethical dilemmas: a model to understand teacher practice, Teachers and Teaching: theory and

practice, 17:2, 173-185, DOI: 10.1080/13540602.2011.539794

https://www.nzei.org.nz/