Lesson Plan — Ethical Lens Inventory™
DESCRIPTION:
The Ethical Lens Inventory™ (ELI) is an assessment tool designed to help students understand what core values influence the choices they make when no rules tell them what to do. This lesson plan consists of individual assignments and
classroom activities that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to use the ELI.
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS
Assignment 1:
Complete the ELI and review of final page with analysis.
Duration:
Learning Objectives:
35 - 40 minutes
To become aware of the concept of ethical plurality
To gain a deeper understanding of personal ethical values
To recognize characteristics and qualities of each of the Four Ethical
Lenses
Activities:
Complete the web-based Ethical Lens Inventory
Review the analysis on the final page, including the supplemental
information on the left navigation bar, pop-ups that show the differences among the lenses
Resources:
(posted in the Faculty
Resource Center)
“Introduction to the ELI” (voice over PowerPoint presentation)
Web-based ELI
Resources on the left navigation bar of the ELI site
In-depth information about the perspectives, gifts, and blind spots of
all four lenses
Assignment 2:
Write a Personal Ethics Statement based on insights/information received from completion of
the ELI.
Duration:
Learning Objectives:
60 minutes
To explore how the information presented in the ELI either supports
or misses the mark in one’s own personal understanding of core
ethical values
To examine one’s own core ethical commitments in light of the Four
Ethical Lenses
To construct a Personal Ethics Statement that is framed in light of the
ethical model provided by the ELI
Activities:
© Ethics GAME
All Rights Reserved
Write a Personal Ethics Statement based on the information received
from the ELI
Lesson Plan – Ethical Lens Inventory
page 1 of 3
September 2011
Assignment 2 (cont’d):
Resources:
Personal Ethics Statement
(posted in the Faculty
Resource Center)
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Activity 1:
Discuss concepts presented in the ELI (suitable for both online and on-ground classes.)
Duration
Learning Objectives:
30 minutes
To describe personal understanding of the concepts presented in the
ELI
To discuss experience of ethical plurality through sharing among the
students
To deepen understanding of one’s own ethical perspectives as well
as those of others
Activities:
Respond to a series of posted questions in class chat-room (can be
asynchronous or real-time)
Facilitate class discussion about the ELI.
Resources:
Sample discussion questions
(posted in the Faculty
Resource Center
Activity 2:
Demonstrate the ethical plurality of the members of the class
Duration
Learning Objectives:
15 minutes
To demonstrate that people have different ethical perspectives
To illustrate that various ethical perspectives are legitimate and
defensible
Activities:
Project the scatter plot of the class on the screen for students to see
the variation among their classmates
Have students identify where they are on the chart either by raising
their hands or arranging themselves in the class by group (generally
use five groups: each of the four lenses and a balanced center)
Engage in a discussion of the similarities and differences among the
lenses
Resources:
(posted in the Faculty
Resource Center)
© Ethics GAME
All Rights Reserved
Scatter plot provided by EthicsGame
Discussion questions to go with the scatterplot
Lesson Plan – Ethical Lens Inventory
page 2 of 3
September 2011
Activity 3:
Structured debrief applying the principles of the ELI to typical ethical issues
Duration:
Learning Objectives:
30 - 60 minutes
To explore the implications in reasoning and actions of the concept
of ethical plurality
To identify the concepts that go with each ethical lens
To apply the concepts of the lenses in a typical ethical situation
To compare and contrast the reasons for actions and specific actions
taken based on perspectives of the Four Ethical Lenses
Activities:
Work through a debriefing PowerPoint with short scenarios provided by EG
Engage students in deeper discussion of questions raised by the
short scenarios
Resources:
(posted in the Faculty
Resource Center)
Activity 4:
Select short scenarios with the topics and/or settings that are most
interesting and appropriate for the class
Small group exercise applying the principles of the ELI to a typical ethical dilemma
Duration:
Learning Objectives:
60 minutes
To apply the different perspectives of the Four Ethical Lenses in a
typical ethical dilemma
To demonstrate the ability to put together an action plan based on
values of the Four Ethical Lenses
To resolve an ethical dilemma using the tools for the Four Ethical
Lenses
Activities:
Resources:
(posted in the Faculty
Resource Center)
© Ethics GAME
All Rights Reserved
Using the prescribed format, work through the decision steps of one
of the Table Exercises
Table Exercises for ELI debrief
Overview of The Four Ethical Lenses
Lesson Plan – Ethical Lens Inventory
page 3 of 3
September 2011
