Learning Through Reflection: My Personal Growth Journey
What have I learnt about values and professional values? This is example of reflective essay on learning experience where I wikk share personal knowledge.
Values assist us in determining what is right and what is wrong in certain scenarios. Values can be categorised into the following, personal, social, cultural and professional. Propose that values are to be broken up into two different levels, moral and non-moral.
To continue reflection on learning experience example paper, one underlying concept that I have gained knowledge on throughout the unit, that will not only aid the decisions that I will make as a future schoolteacher but, also gave me an insight that not all the decisions that I will make will seem just to all students. A statement written by Preston suggests that “the human capacity to determine what we can do, has outstripped our ability to decide what we ought to do”. The scenario given to us on child rearing is a great example to look at. Maryam, a student teacher, finds it difficult to understand how one student can be excused from tiding up the toys whilst all the other children do so. The child rearing policy was made to suit cultural issues outside the norm of society to ensure justice and fairness is addressed on an individual level. The class notes by Denise Fraser, further enhances my learning experience and understanding. Reflecting on the content I came to the understanding that there are different decision-making tools that a teacher may use to resolve an ethical dilemma, those being, end based thinking and rule-based thinking. These two decisions making tools are traditionally seen and used in the western world.
Further to this the video which included Maryam, shared an elaborate example of an ethical dilemma. It presented a situation which was out of the norm for a new teacher. As suggested by me and other students end-based thinking will result in the best possible decision for this scenario. Followed by a clear solution to the matter at hand. Enhancing my knowledge and understanding in this field.
By reading the responses of other students it was brought to my attention that I have overlooked certain aspects of scenarios that I wasn’t aware of, further enhancing my learning and swaying my decision.
One reading that has further developed my understanding of ethics and models that are used, is the writing of Newman, L., & Pollnitz, L., Working with children and families: Professional, ethical and legal issues, this reading made me question what sort of person I am, do I follow the rules or do I follow my heart when making decisions?. This has allowed me to expand my trail of thought when encountering a dilemma and look at the different ethical principles that are encountered when making a decision. There are five types of ethical principles that are commonly used, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, fidelity and justice. When the reading suggested these five principles, I realised that I had never thought that teaching would include such complex things , in hindsight I thought that making are child’s well-being is safe and that they felt comfortable in the learning space was all that was needed. Another tool that I used to help the decision-making process that I found quite helpful was the Preston model. The Preston model is an “ethical response model” . This model considers and reflects all aspects of the situation to imply the best possible response.
I have learnt that ethics is defined as “being the behaviour of individuals or groups that is thought to be right, fair, good or just”. On face value ethics is distinguishing between what is right and what is wrong, and that was my understanding of ethics. Through my learning experience I have gained a solid understanding and knowledge that it entails certain frameworks and understandings. Upon my initial enrolment in this unit I was oblivious as to what ethical futures would entail. From a simplistic point of view, I thought it would be straight forward scenarios that would have right or wrong answers. When presented with the readings and examples I began to gain and understanding on a new learning experience that I was unaware of prior. My growth and understanding of values, ethical principles, tools and models that are used in ethical decision making will be discussed.
In conclusion to reflection on learning experience essay, through my research I have been able to investigate certain aspects and scenarios that have further developed my learning. This has allowed me to grow a strong understanding, that having a positive approach to certain dilemmas may not always align with my personal and professional values. Throughout the course of this unit I have been able to develop and understand the skills needed that will ensure that not only the welfare of my future students but, also other participants involved.
