How do we use discussions to help students understand and respect the perspectives of others?

Moral dilemmas provide concrete reference points, but discussions are the mechanisms that lead to higher levels of moral reasoning. In discussions, the students may offer slightly different perspectives with respect to the issues. Discussing these differences can lead to advances in moral reasoning. And students generally enjoy the opportunity to express their opinions, particularly when they are not in danger of being judged right or wrong. So discussions such as these are often motivating. Research suggests that teachers should follow up on the discussion by having the students write a paragraph in which they were asked to justify their moral positions with respect to the issue. Discussions that encourage students to examine their own reasoning combined with exposure to more advanced thinking promotes moral development (Carlo, Mestre, Samper, Tur, & Armenta, 2011; Crystal et al., 2010).