In this small-scale study in higher
education, a good educational practice on teaching bioethics based on
transformative learning and accomplished by debates, is presented. The research
was carried out in June 2016 at the Department of Molecular Biology and
Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece and it focuses on the
concerns over their value system and moral dilemmas underground students in the
field of biosciences have. Reflections occurred after the debating experience
they participated in during this course. The research followed the qualitative
method and data were collected through a single question posed to students,
asking them to critically reflect on their debating experience. Content analysis
was used for analyzing their responses. Debates seem to be a good practice for
teaching bioethics, since it led them to critically think over their values and
morals regarding their role as future biologists. They seem eager to reflect,
question, and deal with moral dilemmas concerning the difficult ethical issue
of bioethics, a key-point for every junior scientist.
References
[1]
Atkinson, R. (1998). The Life Story Interview. Sage University Papers on Qualitative Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412986205
[2]
Badara, I. A. (2011). Using Transformative Learning Theory to Investigate Ways to Enrich University Teaching: Focus on the Implementation of Student-Centered Teaching in Large Introductory Science Courses. PhD Diss., Tennessee: University of Tennessee. http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/945
[3]
Becker, G. M., & McClintock, G. G. (1967). Value: Behavioral Decision Theory, Annual Review of Psychology, 18, 239-286. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.18.020167.001323
[4]
Bostick, M. (2016). Teaching with Technology: AP Biology Bioethics. http://www.carolina.com
[5]
Braunack-Mayer, A. J. (2001). What Makes a Problem an Ethical Problem? An Empirical Perspective on the Nature of Ethical Problems in General Practice. Journal of Medical Ethics, 27, 98-103. https://doi.org/10.1136/jme.27.2.98
[6]
Christoforatou, T. (2014). Biology, Bioethics and Education. Unpublished Master’s Thesis: School of Philosophy, Department of Philosophical and Social Studies. http://elocus.lib.uoc.gr/dlib/6/5/1/metadata-dlib-1458738810-994034-23089.tkl
[7]
Cranton, P. (2002). Teaching for Transformation. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 93, 63-71. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.50
[8]
Cranton, P. (2006). Promoting Transformative Understanding Learning: Workshop Overview, July 29, 2006. https://www.unisa.edu.au
[9]
Crne-Hladnik, H., Hladnik, A., Javornik, B., Kosmelj, K., & Peklaj, C. (2011). Is Judgment of Biotechnological Ethical Aspects Related to High School Students’ Knowledge? International Journal of Science Education, 34, 1277-1296. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00712368 https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2011.572264
[10]
Dopico, E. (2020). Pedagogical Debates on Educational Innovation. American Journal of Education and Learning, 5, 62-71. https://doi.org/10.20448/804.5.1.62.71
[11]
Dragona-Monachou, M. (2002). Ethics and Bioethics—Science and Society. Review of Political and Ethical Theory, Vols. 8-9, 1-27.
[12]
Elizur, D., Borg, I., Hunt, R., & Beck, I. M. (1991). The Structure of Work Values: A Cross Cultural Comparison. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 12, 21-38. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030120103
[13]
Giannouleas, M. (2011). Behavior and Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace. Athens: Pedio.
[14]
Giasemmis, H. (2011). Study of Knowledge and Attitudes of Lyceum Students towards Biotechnology and Genetics Issues. Doctoral Thesis, Patras: University of Patras, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Early Childhood Education.
[15]
Gordon, E. J., & Levin, B. W. (2007). Contextualizing Ethical Dilemmas: Ethnography for Bioethics. In L. Jacoby, & L. A. Siminoff (Eds.), Empirical Methods for Bioethics: A Primer (Advances in Bioethics, Volume 11) (pp. 83-116). Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3709(07)11004-9
[16]
Gutierez, S. B. (2015). Socio-Scientific Issues to Enhance the Bioethical Decision-Making Skills of High School Students. International Education Studies, 8, 142. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v8n1p142
[17]
Hadzigeorgiou, Y. (2015). A Critique of Science Education as Sociopolitical Action from the Perspective of Liberal Education. Science & Education, 24, 259-280. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-014-9728-4
[18]
Islas, C., & Cortés, V. (2020). Presencia de la bioética en la investigación de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. Perfiles Educativos, 42, 42-59. https://doi.org/10.22201/iisue.24486167e.2020.168.59039
[19]
Jarvis, P. (2004). Continuing Education and Training: Theory and Practice. Athens: Metaichmio.
[20]
Jonas, H. (1979). The Principality Guarantee. Versucheiner Ethik fur die Technologische Zivilisation. Frankfurt: Suhrkamp.
[21]
Katsimigas, G., & Vasilopoulou, G. (2010). Basic Principles of Bioethics and Orthodox Ethics. The Step of Asclepius, 9, 158-170.
[22]
Kedraka, K., & Rotidi, G. (2017). Bioscience and Bioethics in Light of Adult Education: The Approaches of P. Jarvis and C. Rogers Used within the Training Regarding Biosciences. Educational Cycle, 5, 48-68. http://www.educircle.gr
[23]
Kedraka, Κ., & Kourkoutas, Y. (2018). Debates in Teaching Bioethics. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 7, 32-41. https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v7n1p32
[24]
Kluckhohn, C. (1952). Values and Value Orientations in the Theory of Action. In T. Parsons, & E. A. Shils (Eds.), Towards a General Theory of Action (pp. 338-433). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
[25]
Kolarova, A. T., & Denev, I. T. (2012). Integrating a Bioethics Course into Undergraduate Biology Education. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 26, 2801-2810. https://doi.org/10.5504/BBEQ.2011.0089
[26]
Macer, D. (2008). Moral Games for Teaching Bioethics. UNESCO Chair in Bioethics.
[27]
Malamitsa, K., Kasoutas, M., & Kokkotas, P. (2009). Developing Greek Primary School Students’ Critical Thinking through an Approach of Teaching Science which Incorporates Aspects of History of Science. Science & Education, 18, 457-468. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-008-9150-x
[28]
McGonigal, K. (2007). Teaching Transformation: From Learning Theory to Teaching Strategies. Adult Education, 12, 12-15.
[29]
Mezirow, J. (1990). How Critical Thinking Activates Transformative Learning. In J. Mezirow, & Associates, Fostering Critical Reflection in Adulthood, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Mezirow, J. (1998). On Critical Reflexion. Adult Education Quarterly, 48, 185-198. https://doi.org/10.1177/074171369804800305
[32]
Mezirow, J. (2007). Learning to Think like an Adult: Central Concepts of Transformative Theory. In J. Mezirow, & Co. (Eds.), Transformational Learning (pp. 43-72). Athens: Metaichmio.
[33]
Miell, D., & Dallos, R. (2007). Interpersonal Relationships: A Continuous Social Interaction. Athens: Greek Letters.
[34]
Moeller, T. (1985). Using Classroom Debates in Teaching Developmental Psychology. Teaching of Psychology, 12, 207-209. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15328023top1204_5
[35]
Nader, J. E. D., Hernández, A. M., Acosta, A. C., Hernandez N, M., & Gómez, X. C. (2020). Biosocial Focus and Current Salubrista of Bioethics. International Journal of Research—GRANTHAALAYAH, 8, 105-110. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i1.2020.257
[36]
Pantaléon, N., Chataigné, C., Bonardi, C., & Long, T. (2019). Human Values Priorities: Effects of Self-Centredness and Age. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 40, 172-186. https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2018.1554880
[37]
Pennings, I. M. (1970). Work Value Systems of White-Collar Workers. Administrative Science Quarterly, 15, 397-405. https://doi.org/10.2307/2391330
[38]
Pryor, R. (1979). In Search of a Concept: Work Values. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 27, 250-258. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2164-585X.1979.tb00993.x
[39]
Rohan, M. J., & Zanna, M. P. (2001). Values and Ideologies. In A. Tesser, & N. Schwartz (Eds.), Blackwell Handbook of Social Psychology: Intraindividual Processes (pp. 458-478). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470998519.ch21
[40]
Rokeach, M. (1973). The Nature of Human Values. New York: Free Press.
[41]
Rosário Pinto, M. (2016). Bioethical Dilemma in Emergency and Critical Care. A Multicultural Perspective. Journal of UIIPS, 4, 45.
[42]
Rundgren, C.-J., Eriksson, M., & Rundgren, S.-N. C. (2016). Investigating the Intertwinement of Knowledge, Value, and Experience of Upper Secondary Students’ Argumentation Concerning Socioscientific Issues. Science & Education, 25, 1049-1071. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-016-9859-x
[43]
Sagie, A., Elizur, D., & Koslowsky, M. (1996). Work Values: A Theoretical Overview and a Model of Their Effects. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 17, 503-514. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1379(199612)17:1+<503::AID-JOB820>3.0.CO;2-Q
[44]
Schiebe, K. E. (1970). Beliefs and Values. New York: Harper & Row.
[45]
Stefanidou, C. (2016). History and Philosophy of Science for Citizenship: The Case of “Life of Galileo” by B. Brecht. Abstracts 1st European Regional IHPST Conference, Flensburg, 22-25 August 2016, 25.
[46]
Super, D. (1957). The Psychology of Careers. New York: Harper.
[47]
Super, D. (1962). The Structure of Work Values in Relations to Status, Achievement, Interests and Adjustment. Journal of Applied Psychology, 46, 231-239. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0040109
[48]
Super, D. (1970). The Work Values Inventory. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. https://doi.org/10.1037/t01584-000
[49]
Taka, M. X. (2015). Educational Leadership and Administration: A Bioethical Approach. Unpublished Master’s Thesis: School of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy and Social Studies. http://elocus.lib.uoc.gr/dlib/5/9/c/metadata-dlib-1449576817-411817-14704.tkl
[50]
Taylor, E. W. (2007). An Update of Transformative Learning Theory: A Critical Review of the Empirical Research (1999-2005). International Journal of Lifelong Education, 26, 173-191. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370701219475
[51]
The John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology & Values (2016). http://reillytop10.com/2016/09/19/reillytop-10-in-the-classroom
[52]
Tsinorema, S., & Louis, K. (2013). Bioethics Issues. Life, Society and Nature in the Face of the Challenges of the Biosciences. Heraklion: University Publications of Crete/Greece.
[53]
Tzampazi, A. (2016). Teaching Science in Second Chance Schools: Two Case Studies Inspired by Philosophy of Science. Abstracts 1st European Regional IHPST Conference, Flensburg, 22-25 August 2016, 26.
[54]
Verma, G., & Mallick, K. (2004). Educational Research. Athens: Typothito.
[55]
Vidalis, T., & Mollaki, B. (2018). What Do I Know about Bioethics? Athens: National Committee on Bioethics.
[56]
Zanni, A. (2012). Biotechnological Challenges in the Field of Philosophy and Education and the Role of Bioethics Price. Unpublished PhD Thesis: National and Kapodistrias a Party University of Athens (UOA), Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, Pedagogical j Treaty and Psychology, Philosophy Department. http://hdl.handle.net/10442/hedi/29716
[57]
Zerva, S., Lahana, O., Bourazani, E., Papoutsaki, E., Petropoulos, K., Christofidi, M., Katsila, Th., & Patrinos, G. P. (2017). Exploring the Limits of Bioethics: D TC Genetic Testing. Bioethics, 3, 5-14. https://doi.org/10.12681/bioeth.19862
[58]
Zytowski, D. G. (1970). The Concept of Work Values. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 18, 176-186. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2164-585X.1970.tb00231.x
