Deciding on appropriate ethical responses to given situations is purely down to awareness, being aware of the situation and experience, the outcomes and ways in which you can decide and deal with appropriate ethical responses in certain situations. We have no choice but to make decisions with possible ethical consequences at some point in our careers, the decision could be about our own conduct or about that of another. How we react in given situations could have significant implications for our reputation and career. Recognising risks can prevent many potential ethical problems from escalating to the point of causing harm. Being aware of what is/isn't ethical, aware of the situation you are dealing with and aware of the consequences that lie by your response is noticing how you should react or respond in a given situation. Recent writings stress how factors such as emotions, personal vulnerabilities, personality, and even the context of situations influence how we make decisions, including ethical ones. An effective response requires developed skills, planned resources, the right information, and a pre-established ethical and self awareness.
Performing and teaching dance is a very ‘hands on’ approach of working; dance is very physical and requires a lot of contact more than academic subjects. I believe a form of non-sexual, personal physical contact between teacher and student is important for purpose of growth, correction or improvement. In many academic subjects teachers would almost never have physical contact with a student unless an emergency arose however there are many professions where physical contact is vital in the workplace for example: Physiotherapists, yoga teachers, physical trainer, acupuncture, Pilate’s instructor, makeup-artists, tattoo artists, hairstylist, dentistry and nail technicians. All of these professions require a certain level of appropriate physical contact.
Many ways of thinking about ethics focus on whether specific actions are good or bad, or right or wrong. They help one decide what he or she should do in a particular case or class of cases, or evaluate after the fact actions that someone else has done. Ethical considerations can be framed in terms of good and bad, beneficial; and harmful, or effective and ineffective, than in terms of right and wrong, proper and improper or correct and incorrect. When asking any ethical question- what should I do in a given situation? What kind of person should I strive to be? How do I resolve conflict among persons or nations? – I feel the question should be framed in terms of goodness and badness, what is beneficial or harmful, to myself and those around me.
Taking my place of work (Dance teaching) I believe there are many ethical considerations to take into account allowing the class to not only be a safe and secure environment but ensuring my actions influence the learning development of the children.
DBS checks/ Safeguarding
DBS checks are compulsory when working with children in schools or colleges, ensuring the safeguarding is in tact. Teachers are responsible for keeping children and learners safe. There is no greater importance than parents sending their children to school knowing that they are in a safe environment.
My personal responsibility to ensure safe practice for the students and the schools reputation.
1) Ensure High quality leadership and management skills in a class environment
2) Make sure policies and procedures are in place
3) Engaging students in how to stay safe in an active dance class
4) Risk assessment – Making sure the studio is safe to dance in (correct flooring/clear space/clean) and all electrical equipment has been checked and meets the required standard for use.
5) Enforce rules and boundaries enabling everyone to feel secure and well protected
Communication
I believe communicating with the children should always be in a style appropriate to:
- The students age
- Physical or cultural factors
- Preferred method of communication
- Sensory or intellectual impairment e.g. sight loss or hearing loss
Student confidentiality
Not passing on information regarding student status or well being to other individuals without permission
Respecting the teacher and other classmates
- It is as important for a teacher to respect the student as much as it is for the student to respect the teacher. The teacher has to be a model of respect; if you want a child to do it then you have to do it.
- Reminding children of their good decisions so they remember how it felt is reinforcing the experience of being respectful.
- Encouraging students to treat others as they would like to be treated creates a respectful environment
- Explaining the rules to the children and the importance of listening and watching others helps promote respect. For example if a child is dancing across the space, the other dancers should show respect by watching and being quiet until it is their turn. Not only are the learning respect but they are learning to observe other dancers and hopefully learn from them.
I have chosen these 4 ethical considerations based on my experience of working in a school and what I feel should be considered as ethics in my workplace. I am aware that there are codes of practice/regulations which steer the ethical framework in the place of work. I am going to look into detail at the codes and regulations in my workplace and discuss in my next blog.
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