Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in the Classroom: Lessons from Digital Challenges

Teaching is as much about guiding ethical behavior as it is about academic instruction. Throughout my career, I’ve encountered situations where students’ choices challenged the integrity of the learning environment, forcing me to consider difficult trade-offs between accountability, trust, and education. One scenario that stands out involved students using Snapchat AI to cheat on a test.

When I discovered the situation, I faced several dilemmas. I could have treated it as a purely disciplinary issue, focusing on punishment, or I could have approached it as a learning opportunity, emphasizing the importance of academic honesty and responsible technology use. I chose a balanced approach: I held individual conversations with students to help them reflect on the consequences of their actions, reviewed our academic integrity policies, and designed lessons on digital citizenship. At the same time, I adjusted assessment methods to reduce opportunities for misuse of AI tools, incorporating more application-based and project-driven tasks.

This experience reinforced that ethical dilemmas in teaching rarely have simple solutions. My advice to new educators is to remain consistent, empathetic, and reflective. Address issues promptly, communicate expectations clearly, and use challenges as opportunities to teach values alongside content. Balancing accountability with support not only upholds standards but also helps students develop the integrity they will need beyond the classroom.