Page 199 - Microsoft Word - The Future of Learning April 2017.docx

Character Formation
We can overcome almost any social or physical dilemma through having a sense of purpose. Our confidence and assurance are based on knowing what that purpose is and that it will change numerous times over our lifetime. Purpose provides a secure platform for the development of positive attitudes, values and qualities that we may choose to display. Our morality, ethics and beliefs form the foundation of our character. These three terms are used and interchanged casually and often inappropriately. Each of these terms has a distinct meaning and it is important to unpack these definitions as each has a significant role to play in the formation of character in the learners who inhabit our classrooms, as well as ourselves.
Resource 77:
Character formation
187
• Morality: of, or relating to actions of right and wrong when those actions impact ourselves positively or negatively.216
• Ethics: of, or relating to actions of right and wrong in the behaviour of how ‘my’ actions and behaviour impact others.217
• Beliefs: trust, faith and/or confidence in something that may not be able to be proven.218
If learners are to recognise and fulfil their potential, we need to understand more about how their attitudes, qualities, and values give rise to principles, and how their morality, ethics and beliefs contribute to their character.
A full awareness of our morality, ethics and beliefs will not be achieved unless we recognise, understand, and own our own social and cultural drivers. We can develop these by reflecting on how we react to others and how well we metacognitively reflect on our behaviours. The capacity to reflect metacognitively on these ideas and concepts develops with age, but the understanding of these concepts appears to be within the scope of anyone who can imagine; which is everyone. Using our imagination and applying it to thoughtful reflection about our actions and those of others, combined with the capacity to learn, are foundational in developing our character. As with all concepts, the depth of understanding we may have, depends on the quality of the Learning Process we engage in and our willingness to challenge our thinking and actions.
Building character requires taking ownership for our actions and balancing the tension between privilege and responsibility. Unfortunately, ‘victims’ sometimes lack the character to deal with the issues they face and look for others to blame for their behaviours and actions. By empowering our learners and assisting them to develop character, we are building their capacity to deal with the issues they will inevitably face in life.
216 A derivation of the definition of Morality [Def.1]. In Merriam Webster Online. Retrieved September, 2016 from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/morality
217 A derivation of the definition of Ethics [Def.1] In Merriam Webster Online. Retrieved September, 2016 from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/ethic
218 A derivation of the definition of Belief [Def.1] In Merriam Webster Online. Retrieved September, 2016 from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/belief