Enquiry-Based Learning Process - Essay Example

Name: Class: Unit: A: Individual learning From learning outcomes, there were tasks (in class and from assessment) that assisted my learning most. First, group work discussion on dairy farming in Australiawas effective in my learning. Through the group, Iimproved my understanding on business ethics in organizations. While in the group, content was broken down into doable sections (Coers et al., 2010). This allowed the group to work on complex problem which we could not be achieved in individual level. The group further provided me with additional information regarding dairy farming Australia which I could not have gained by myself in achieving the unit outcomes. The groups were resourceful as there was variety of experience and information background. I was able to put in my knowledge and skills toward various learning requirements in the group as well as create new perspective regarding various topics. Further, groups enabled me to think critically and develop problem solving skills (Lichtenstein, 2005). I was able to give my view point and created clearer picture of my understanding of different topics. Secondly, assignments contributed more to my learning. They enabled me to do more research, compare findings and draw relevant conclusion on different reading expectations.Reading several materials of the same topic enabled me to understand the topic better. Further, they provided me with the opportunity to apply, develop and demonstrate my knowledge. Through this, I was able to inspect my level of understanding for specific subject as well as developing new insights. Additionally, by writing my assignments, I improved my analytical skills, writing skills, verbal, foresight planning and presentation. Through this, I am able to argue myself critically in a manner that makes other understand. On the other hand, there were tasks which assisted my learning less. For instance, class presentations assisted me less in my learning. Business ethics being a new unit, I found it hard to comprehend some ideas during the presentation. I did not have prior knowledge regarding the unit and I found myself lagging behind. I felt left behind while others advanced at a faster rate. Further, due to limitation in time, I could not fully comprehend some of the presentations as they were too fast. Moreover, class demonstrations were not detailed. They only gave main ideas but put less emphasis on the details. Following this, I had to carry out more readings regarding the same topic to understand more. B: EBL Learning B1 I used Enquiry Based learning process in several ways that assisted my understanding of business ethics. To understand more on business ethics, I took the responsibility of learning and finding resources to complement my knowledge. I used multiple complementary resources such as libraries, books and electronic journals, which enabled me to fill the knowledge gap in business ethics. I developed questions such as impacts of business ethics on global organizations. Through this,I aimed at getting more knowledge on business ethics. This resulted from tutor’s motivation regarding global organizations. Further, to aid me in research process, I engaged tutor who provided me with support and guidelines in conducting my research. Through this, I was able to develop the necessary skills in researching (Gormally et al., 2009). Further, group learning assisted me understand business ethics. Through group learning, I supported and collaborated with my peers. We discussed various issues related to ethics in dairy farming in Australia. Group learning involved tutor support who ensured that the work was constructive. Tutor facilitated the group learning with resources as well as asking open ended questions during our investigations. Additionally, during group learning, we interacted with other groups to find out what they were doing. This enabled me to generate other ideas to incorporate in our group (Gormally et al., 2009). As group learning progressed, I noted accurate information/logs in my notebook. The logs provide me with important information on the work done during the group learning. It provided information regarding questions answered and those which were not answered. Further, it provided me with guidelines for further readings (Edelson, Gordin and Pea, 1999). B2 From the reflection of the group presentation and themed essay, I feel that I greatly improved my EBL performance as well as that of the group.Through brainstorming, I contributed my thoughts and ideas to problems at hand effectively and confidently.Following leadership from the group leader who shared the topic with the rest of the group, we individually wrote down our ideas. This encouraged everyone to contribute our own idea thus eliminating anchoring. Furthermore, it gave everyone time to think over the idea before responding. Additionally, before the group sitting, we were involved in online brainstorming. This enabled us to develop ideas and arrange of how we were to meet. Moreover, to encourage completeness and understanding of discussion topic, we broke down the topic into easy and doable sections. Through this, I greatly improved self and group EBL performance (Edelson, Gordin and Pea, 1999). C: business ethics C1 Business ethics refers to the standards and principles that determine acceptable conduct in any business organization (Shaw, 2008). It entails determining right and wrong and later making the right choice. On the other hand moral dilemma refers to conflict into which one has to choose between options which have moral reasons for the chosen action (Wyszynski, 2010). Over the past, I faced a moral dilemma. It was during school annual exams when my parents promised me of a holiday getaway if I did well in my exams. I revised hard and even took some hours off sleeping to work on mathematics that i felt I was weak. During the exam, papers were distributed and the exam started. On the course of the exams, there were questions I wasn’t sure about the answer. I was tempted to look into my friends answer sheet or even ask for help because the teacher was not around. I knew that this was the only subject that I was weak and I would perform better in the rest. I was faced with the dilemma of copying, or not copying. If I copied, I would pass and get the holiday getaway. On the other hand if I did not copy, I would fail and not get the opportunity for holiday. I opted not to cheat and explain my situation for not passing in one subject. If faced by the same situation now, my actions and outcomes would not change. Regarding the moral dilemma, opting not to cheat was a demonstration of virtual ethics. According to Tenbrunsel (2007), virtual ethics focus to develop one’s character into being a good citizen in an organized society. Further, honesty is a best ethics policy. Tenbrunsel argue that honesty may not necessarily mean wrong doing or poor judgment but also accepting an honest mistake. The decisions I made, reflect moral reasoning. I made a decision that I thought was correct. This is in relation toTenbrunsel who refers moral reasoning to be the process that aims in determining the correctness or wrongness of an idea. 2 Understanding ethical theories and moral reasoning will help assist me to apply ethic in my future profession in several ways. First, it will enable me to make ethical decisions.Ethical theories equip skills of identifying issues, points and basis of supporting points (Pasternak, 2012). This involves evaluating the issue by considering whether it’s acceptable or not, relevant or not and whether they are sufficient to support the claim in question. Later, decisions are made based on whether the argument is strong to support the conclusion. Moreover, ethical theories and moral reasoning is the base of making decisions. People use ethical explanations and reasoning to explain their decisions and reasons(Thomson, 2002). Thomson noted that it’s critical to have understanding of ethics and moral reasoning in order to resolve issues dealing with ethical dilemma. She further noted that people ability of making moral judgments is based on reasoning from ethical theories and principles. Moral judgments on the other hand helpone to identify if decisions are moral and if the position the judgment is valid. Secondly it will influence my behavior. According to Hooker (2003), ethics includes features that influence one behavior. It provides one with a conceptual framework and language through which one can think and talk about ethical issues. Following its emphasis on case studies, ethical theories and moral reasoning helps one to be aware of potential consequences of one’s action. According to Hooker (2003), ethical theories enable one to define how valid ethical arguments look like. They teach one how to make distinctive choices and avoid fallacies when making decisions. It further influences one behavior giving one chance to practice ethical positions which can help one to resist pressure to compromise. Further, understanding ethical theories and reasoning will assist me to develop moral conduct. According to Wyszynski (2010), ethics provide one with standard of conduct which are generally agreed upon by empowering business professional in promoting moral values in their work place. Additionally, ethics and moral reasoning are important as they enable individuals to distinguish between moral values from other norms in their lives. Ethics acts to lend senses of justification and validation for judgments and moral decisions. It aims at ensuring that decisions which affect large population are not made based on purely subjective factors (Wyszynski, 2010). Additionally, moral reasoning and ethical theory create sense of standards and consistency in people through which various individuals, groups and professions can be held. Ethical theories and moral reasoning will assist me in leadership. Moral reasoning and ethical theories enhance leadership (Waggoner, 2010). According to Waggoner, ethical theories and moral reasoning enable leaders to make decisions when faced with issues. Leaders face three options when faced with issues; ignore the issue, sit and complain about the issue or analyze the issue and take actions. According to Waggoner, leaders equipped with ethics opt for the last option. Ethics and moral reasoning are stepping stones for leaders which guides leaders to better solutions. They are meant to encourage leaders in pursuit of internal goods(Svensson and Wood, 2007). Moreover, ethics protect leaders from behaviors based on external factors such as money and power. They assist leaders to develop senses of truth and meaningful of life. According to Svensson and Wood, personal ethics enhance better leadership which aids in creation of better organizations and societies Lastly, ethical theory and moral reasoning will assist me to think critically. Moral reasoning being the process of determining the difference between what is right and what is wrong, it enables one to make decisions by thinking critically (Waggoner, 2010). It teaches one to use logic to make assessments by choosing actions that are intended to accomplish the best consequences. Further, its enables people to make the right things. For example, when faced with moral choices such taking actions that benefit one group and hurting the other, moral reasoning provides one with the options of thinking critically towards making the relevant decision(Waggoner, 2010). References Coers, N., Williams, J. and Duncan, D. (2010).Impact of Group Development Knowledge on Students’ Perceived Importance and Confidence of Group Work Skills.Journal of Leadership Education, 9(2), pp.101-121. Edelson, D.C., Gordin, D.N. and Pea, R.D., 1999. Addressing the challenges of inquiry-based learning through technology and curriculum design. Journal of the learning sciences, 8(3-4), pp.391-450. Gormally, C., Brickman, P., Hallar, B. and Armstrong, N., 2009. Effects of inquiry-based learning on students’ science literacy skills and confidence. International journal for the scholarship of teaching and learning, 3(2), p.16. Lichtenstein, M. (2005).The Importance of Classroom Environments in the Assessment of Learning Community Outcomes.Journal of College Student Development, 46(4), pp.341-356. Pasternak, S., (2012).The role of ethical theories in ethical reasoning and behaviour within organisations. Unpublished Research Proposal Submitted to the Faculty of Management, Tel Aviv University. Available from www.ti-isreal. org/.../dbs- Atachedfiles/sigalitPasternak.pdf. Shaw, W. (2008).Marxism, Business Ethics, and Corporate Social Responsibility.Journal of Business Ethics, 84(4), pp.565-576. Svensson, G. and Wood, G. (2007). Sustainable leadership ethics: a continuous and iterative process. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 28(3), pp.251-268. Tenbrunsel, A. (2007). Ethics in Today’s Business World: Reflections from Business Scholars. Journal of Business Ethics, 80(1), pp.1-4. Thomson, A. (2002). Critical reasoning in ethics. London: Routledge. Wyszynski, L. (2010). A Tactical Ethic: Moral Conduct in the Insurgent Battlespace. Journal of Military Ethics, 9(3), pp.276-278. Read More