Teacher Professionalism and Ethical Conduct
Overview
In this unit preservice teachers will acquire a strong understanding of professional and ethical standards that underpin the teaching profession and code of conduct. Specifically, preservice teachers will critically analyse the role and leadership of teachers in secondary settings to understand the multifaceted impact that results from their engagement with others. Incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives that is culturally responsive and ethical, preservice teachers will engage in strong collaboration to navigate ways that bring about a positive change for education settings.
Requisites
08-December-2024
15-June-2025
30-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Critically analyse theoretical and evidence-based research about ethical issues in teaching and schooling
- Critically evaluate legal and regulatory matters in global and local education policy and leadership
- Plan for teaching and assessing student learning based on ethics, integrity and professionalism aligned with jurisdictional curriculum and regulatory expectations.
- Apply ethical and professional considerations to problem-solve and provide solutions to practical educational scenarios
- Critically examine ethical approaches to working in partnership with industry, colleagues, communities and families for positive development and professional growth.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
Live Online |
2.00 |
7 weeks |
14 |
Live Online |
2.00 |
4 weeks |
2 |
On Campus |
20 |
1 week |
20 |
Specified Activities |
4 |
7 weeks |
28 |
Unspecified Activities |
12.5 |
7 weeks |
86 |
TOTAL |
150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning |
18.75 | 8 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 50% | 1,2 |
| Assignment | Individual | 50% | 3,4,5 |
Content
• Ethical issues around democracy and cultural diversity
• The objectivity of values and professional values
• Teaching competence and teacher scrutiny
• Regularly vs legal functions in education and training, employment and leadership
• Teachers as role-models and suitability to teach: ethical issues related to character and health
• Ethical issues of freedom, equity and punishment: managing challenging classroom interactions
• Multiple ways of knowing and being as a teacher (incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in teaching and leadership)
• Regulatory obligations in professional practice
• Local and global policy influences, including the impact of standardisation
• Policy development at a school and local community level; enhancing professional partnerships
• Workplace Health and Safety in the teaching profession
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.