Teaching proper classroom ethics begins in kindergarten. Children are taught, in age-appropriate language, how to behave ethically in the world. For example, telling the truth is good ethical behavior. Another example is to help each other by using teamwork. Professor Kevin Ryan of Santa Clara University recalls seeing a kindergarten teacher explaining to his son why stabbing another student with a stick was wrong. He further stated that teachers should be explainers, and explain to children why ethical behavior, such as showing self-control, is important.
The Office of the Registrar at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor describes the school's expectations for ethics in the classroom. The three defining attributes are attendance, honesty and decorum. Attendance is more than just showing up for class. It is showing up for class well prepared by doing homework beforehand. Furthermore, if a student cannot make it to class, it is up to the student to make up lost work. Attendance also includes the student informing the teacher beforehand of an anticipated absence, or to inform the teacher why he was absent.
The second expectation is honesty. Various thoughts fit into this category. The first is the expectation that students will not cheat on exams. The second is avoiding plagiarism, which is copying another author's words or thoughts as your own, without attribution to the original author. Honesty includes not writing someone else's reports for a fee and not submitting papers for one class that were written in previous classes.
Decorum is the proper and professional behavior in the classroom. This includes not talking when the teacher is talking, not passing notes and not falling asleep in class. Decorum also includes showing respect for others, and doing your share of the work in group projects. Another aspect of decorum is not using cell phones in class.
Dr. Larry Hinman, Professor of Philosophy at the University of San Diego, states that students follow the example set by society. He is dismayed that classrooms teach ethics, but society contradicts what is taught in the classroom. For example, students are taught to play fair and by the rules. However, Professor Kirk Hanson at Santa Clara University states that cheating is commonplace in modern society, which means many are not following the rules. Another example is that young women are taught to accept their bodies in health classes. However, according to Professor Kasey L. Serdar at Westminster College, the media sets forth that only unrealistic super-thin women are beautiful. One set of ethical standards is taught in the classroom, but different sets of principles are glamorized by society. This sets up a duality of messages for a young person to receive, which leads to inner conflict. For classroom ethics to be effective, society at large must adhere to what is taught in the classroom.