Teaching
Ethics
Importance of Manners and Ethics in Teaching
1) Fostering Trust & Respect
Manners and ethics foster an environment of mutual respect and trust. When a lecturer consistently displays politeness, professionalism, and fairness, students and colleagues are more likely to trust and respect them. Trust is key in academia, as students need to feel confident that their lecturer is acting with integrity, giving them fair opportunities, and genuinely caring about their development.
2) Setting a Positive Example
As a senior lecturer, we are a role model for students. Displaying good manners, like listening attentively, being respectful in communication, and maintaining humility, shows students how to behave professionally. Students often mirror the behavior of their lecturers, and when they see us practicing ethical conduct, they are more likely to incorporate these values into their own lives.
3) Creating Positive Learning Environment
A professional environment grounded in manners and ethics creates a more positive, collaborative, and inclusive academic culture. Lecturers who treat everyone with respect, regardless of position or background, contribute to a supportive and open environment. This helps reduce academic stress and fosters a sense of belonging among students.
Influence on the academic ecosystem
Trust and Performance of Student
When a lecturer clearly communicates expectations, grading criteria, and course objectives, students gain confidence in the fairness of the process. This transparency fosters trust, as students feel assured that they are evaluated based on merit and not subject to bias.
This situation further enhances student performance. When students know they can rely on their lecturer for honest and supportive feedback, they are more likely to engage in their studies and put in the effort needed to improve. This combination of trust and mentorship creates an environment where students feel valued, leading to better academic outcomes.
Credibility as a Lecturer
When a lecturer consistently takes responsibility for their actions, decisions, and mistakes, it enhances their credibility. A lecturer who is accountable, whether for grading errors or addressing student concerns, demonstrates professionalism and ethical commitment. This sense of responsibility makes both students and colleagues more likely to respect and trust the lecturer’s leadership and academic integrity.
Challenges
Maintaining professional boundaries with students
Challenge: With the growing emphasis on student-centered learning, it can be difficult for lecturers to balance being approachable while maintaining professional boundaries. Over-familiarity can lead to students expecting special treatment or unclear boundaries between personal and academic relationships, which may compromise fairness.
Solution: Lecturers can establish clear professional boundaries by defining the scope of their support early in the semester. Office hours, email response times, and clear communication about personal limits help students understand the distinction between professional and personal relationships.
Maintaining Personal Integrity Under Institutional Pressure
Challenge: University lecturers often face institutional pressures such as research output demands, funding pursuits, or administrative expectations. These pressures can sometimes conflict with their personal ethics or compromise the quality of their teaching. For instance, the push for higher publication rates might lead to less time devoted to student mentorship.
Solution: By actively communicating their limitations with both students and administrators, lecturers can set realistic expectations for what they can accomplish without sacrificing their ethical standards. Creating a personal plan to balance teaching, research, and service responsibilities also helps lecturers manage stress while adhering to their principles.