SHS3 Engineering · Semester 1 Week 12: Ethics and Professional Practice

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 3.1.3.LI.2 - Explain the importance and nature of professional codes of ethics.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define a professional code of ethics and distinguish it from a code of conduct.
Explain at least four purposes or importance of professional codes of ethics in engineering practice.
Describe the key features or characteristics that make a professional code of ethics effective.
Compare and contrast codes of ethics with codes of conduct using specific examples.
Discuss the nature of the code of ethics of at least one Ghanaian engineering professional body.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Engineering Practice (Strand 1)
Sub-strand: Ethics and Professional Practice (1.3)
Content standard: 3.1.3.CS.1 - Ethics and Professional Practice. 3.1.3.LO.1 Demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of ethics.
Indicator: 3.1.3.LI.2 - Explain the importance and nature of professional codes of ethics.
Suggested placement: Semester 1, Week 12 (Week 12 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 115

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Initiating Talk for Learning: In a learner-led moderated discussion, learners discuss the nature and importance of their school's code of conduct. Furthermore, learners discuss the importance of professional ethical codes.
Through questions and answers, learners explain the differences between codes of ethics and codes of conduct. Add to learners' views and fine-tune their thoughts.
Collaborative Learning: In groups, learners are tasked to visit the websites of some engineering professional bodies in Ghana and report on their code of conduct. In a facilitator-moderated discussion, learners discuss the appropriateness or otherwise of the codes of ethics presented by the groups.

Assessment (3.1.3.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding.

Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Projector and laptop