Understanding Teacher Understanding: An Ethical Challenge

Abstract

As I entered the classroom for the first day of my research, I was eager for the opportunity to observe and dialogue with science teachers about the many issues surrounding student assessment. I looked forward to rich discussions and an increase in understanding, on my part, of what teachers were thinking about the assessment of student achievement. My research was to be descriptive and exploratory. In the beginning I did not have a clear idea of where my exploration into teachers’ thoughts would lead. I knew, however, I was entering a situation replete with ethical challenges. I did not realise that ten minutes into the observation, I would be uncomfortable with what I saw and so encounter my first ethical decision.