Learning Continuum of Ethical Understanding (Version 8.4)

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This element involves students reasoning when making decisions and acting ethically.

Students consider the consequences of and reflect on ethical action. They analyse the reasoning behind stances when making ethical decisions and evaluate the intended and unintended consequences of actions in an increasing range of scenarios. Students articulate understandings of a range of ethical responses in social contexts. In developing and acting with ethical understanding, students:

  • reason and make ethical decisions
  • consider consequences
  • reflect on ethical action.

Level 4

Typically by the end of Year 6, students:

Reason and make ethical decisions

explore the reasons behind there being a variety of ethical positions on a social issue

Consider consequences

evaluate the consequences of actions in familiar and hypothetical scenarios

Reflect on ethical action

articulate a range of ethical responses to situations in various social contexts

Level 5

Typically by the end of Year 8, students:

Reason and make ethical decisions

analyse inconsistencies in personal reasoning and societal ethical decision making

Consider consequences

investigate scenarios that highlight ways that personal dispositions and actions can affect consequences

Reflect on ethical action

analyse perceptions of occurrences and possible ethical response in challenging scenarios

Level 6

Typically by the end of Year 10, students:

Reason and make ethical decisions

investigate reasons for clashes of beliefs in issues of personal, social and global importance

Consider consequences

analyse the objectivity or subjectivity behind decision making where there are many possible consequences

Reflect on ethical action

evaluate diverse perceptions and ethical bases of action in complex contexts