Ethics in its simple term is a set of rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally right and wrong. It is the notion of being able to distinguish between good and bad, and the ability to make the right decision. It could also be a moral philosophy or code of morals practiced by either a person or groups of people in a particular setting, like for instance, in business, or as is this case, learning environments. Learners and instructors need to abide by a set of rules that govern their interactions as much as it dictates their engagements and actions. For instance, learners need to be guided by a set of principles in adopting the right approach towards their different courses, because when they make choices that have negative consequences, it could go a long way in not only sabotaging their career but also of the instructors under whose authority they are. Take for instance the following case scenarios;
Copyright Infringement
Copyright is the legal rights any owner of literary works has over their productions. Authors and television show creators are entitled by the federal government exclusive right to their works, and no other party is allowed to reproduce or showcase the works in a manner likely to serve as an independent publication without the consent of the author. Copyright infringement is the use of these works without permission, infringing certain exclusive rights granted to the copyright holder. These rights include the right to reproduce, distribute, display or perform the protected work, or to do derivative works without prior permission from the copyright holder. When learners infringe on such copyrights, the consequences can rub in on the instructors. For one, the instructor could be accused and possibly charged for being party to such an offense. This is because they are expected to be guardians of some sort monitoring the learner's behaviors and activities. With such an image, the instructor could easily lose their job, profession certificates and permits, or both.
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Cheating
Cheating is the case where a learner copies from another learner, or where both parties copy from each other. Though the intention is to pass the test exams, the action could have dire consequences on the student's academic career just as much as it could adversely affect the instructor's emotional and psychological being. Many instructors and teachers associate cheating with low-quality teaching. When a learner cheats in an exam, it could mean they did not understand the instructor's lessons, in which case such a teacher begins to question their ability as an educator. First-time teachers are mostly heartbroken by this behavior and end up blaming themselves for not providing enough guidance or explaining the assignment correctly. Either way, when an educator begins questioning their abilities, they are bound to feel less motivated in the profession. This could go a long way in sabotaging their input in education.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is considered a form of cheating, though unlike the typical cheating that involves copying from friends in the exam room, this includes the use of a secondary source. When students get access to textbooks or online articles during a test or use researched material during course research without proper citation, it leads to cases of plagiarism; a situation where a learner uses information from secondary sources without citations. Most cases of plagiarism are associated with the copy-and-paste method of cheating. The student does not take time to read and analyze the material or paraphrase. Usually, this type of hurried research is associated with poor planning, though some instructors would interpret it to mean pressure on the part of the learner. They might feel like they gave the learners little time for the research or a topic that is beyond their knowledge, and as such could not comprehend on their own. Either way, it results in a guilty conscious on the part of the instructor, thereby affecting their esteem and subsequent input quality.
Improper instructor/student relationships
This is one of those grey areas many people fear talking about, yet it is very critical since it directly affects the learner's performance. When instructors develop improper relationships with their learners, it affects the working relations that had hitherto existed. In most cases, the learner gets favors from the instructor which could include biased grades on tests or researches, or exemption from specific tasks. While the student may enjoy these ‘benefits' their performance is sabotaged because of the unhealthy nature associated with it; they are not able to effectively and productively work on their studies, which could extend to their intellectual development. The instructor, on the other hand, risks disciplinary measures, which does not only involve losing their work but also risks being sued for pedophilia .
As demonstrated in the four case studies, it is essential for instructors to exercise high levels of ethics, to make sure their work or the intellectual development of the learners is not compromised. The code of ethics for instructors is designed to protect the rights of the learners. Creating a climate of ethical behavior also helps instructors design courses and programs that improve the learner's knowledge, skills and abilities. These programs are essential in the holistic development of students since it relies on their personal experiences and beliefs. The adoption of tailor-made courses and programs not only help in dealing with cases of cheating, but they support the students explore some areas on their own, mostly through the reflection of personal experiences. Such an approach is also critical in cultivating ethics on the learners.
