Learning Continuum of Ethical Understanding (Version 8.4)

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This element involves students identifying and examining values and exploring rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups in a range of contexts and practices.

Students use instances of expressed values to explain social interactions and to determine rights and responsibilities in social and legal domains. They recognise and interpret points of view in ethical contexts. In developing and acting with ethical understanding, students:

  • examine values
  • explore rights and responsibilities
  • consider points of view.

Level 4

Typically by the end of Year 6, students:

Examine values

examine values accepted and enacted within various communities

Explore rights and responsibilities

monitor consistency between rights and responsibilities when interacting face-to-face or through social media

Consider points of view

explain a range of possible interpretations and points of view when thinking about ethical dilemmas

Level 5

Typically by the end of Year 8, students:

Examine values

assess the relevance of beliefs and the role and application of values in social practices

Explore rights and responsibilities

analyse rights and responsibilities in relation to the duties of a responsible citizen

Consider points of view

draw conclusions from a range of points of view associated with challenging ethical dilemmas

Level 6

Typically by the end of Year 10, students:

Examine values

analyse and explain the interplay of values in national and international forums and policy making

Explore rights and responsibilities

evaluate the merits of conflicting rights and responsibilities in global contexts

Consider points of view

use reasoning skills to prioritise the relative merits of points of view about complex ethical dilemmas