Although the use of ethics cases in the classroom can foster critical thinking
and give students the confidence to speak out, there are some caveats.
Cases which directly involve individual students should be avoided. For
example, teachers should not ask students to discuss the acceptable
of
assassinating tyrannical leader X if anyone in the class lives in a country
ruled by X (or might have relatives there). Likewise, a case in which a
Jehovah's Witness declines a life-saving blood transfusion is best left alone if
one of the students is of that faith. Indeed, teachers should select cases
unlikely to offend anyone. The desire for a heated debate should not
eliminate common sense. Although permitted to express personal opinions,
teachers must act as moderators and, as such, prevent the build-up of
tensions within the class. Healthy disagreement must not be allowed to
escalate into hostility.