Methodological explanation

A guide for methodological reflection for the teacher

Before you start, think about the difficulties that may arise when analysing this topic. Write them down on a sheet of paper. Also consider the challenges (positive aspects) of analysing this topic with a group of students. Write those down on a sheet of paper too. At the end of classes, compare your assumptions with what had happened during the classes. Think about what you would change if you were once again to pursue this topic with the same group of students.

Recommendations

The diversity of the module and the diversity of participants, resulting from worldviews and value systems, makes each repetition of the activity different. Therefore, each one requires a different approach and use of more or less active methods. Remember that in this module, participants will have the opportunity to confront and express their views. Therefore, I suggest that you refrain from judging: allow the participants to have a space to express themselves and an opportunity to discuss while respecting the views of others.

You can use this material as an introduction before tackling any sensitive issue in the classroom.

Teaching methods proposed in this module

• working with tests: critical analysis of the text
• individual work,
• teamwork (case studies, problem method)
• discussion

Ethical approach

When striving to achieve the following goals:

• to make the students learn how morality can be understood as a psychological concept.
• to make students aware how judgements about what is right and what is wrong are formed.
• to sensitize students about other opinions and thus help them understand why people might differ on different social or political issues,

As a teacher remember about: ethical message, not discriminating against any of the participants of the lesson, perhaps agreeing with the students at the beginning about the course of such a lesson (respect for all, the right to speak in a way that does not discriminate against anyone), preparing for a difficult situation or conflict in the classroom and how to solve it and relieve emotions. Think about the ethical standards that apply to teachers and students regarding the confidentiality of sensitive information that students may share when discussing this topic. Suggest that a joint contract can be drawn up: students can write down on a flipchart their own principles of working together on this sensitive topic in the class.

Limitations

• This module presents just one of several approaches to morality in social sciences and humanities, namely – psychology of morality with a focus on social intuitionism.
• The examples and exercises presented in the module are constructed in a way that they might provoke discussion and rise emotions as they tackle issues related to moral judgements. It is advisable to go through the exercises on your own, study relevant literature, so that you can add arguments from different angles to stimulate the discussion.
• For the reasons mentioned above, try not to impose your own viewpoint, and be careful with students using arguments ad personam. You should discuss the case and not individual dispositions related to the views presented in the class.

Questions for reflections for students

• How did the class impact your understanding of morality?
• Think about, how you can discuss a controversial or sensitive topic with a person who does not share your moral views? (Think about how you usually react, and how you can react after this lesson, knowing more about morality from the psychological perspective)
• Write on a sheet of paper the question/s that you came up with during the course. When leaving the classroom for a break, you can put this question signed or anonymously into the feedback box.