Using Mobile Polling to Teach Animal Ethics to Large Audiences: A Case Study of First-Year Veterinary Students’ Personal Views

Research has demonstrated that educating veterinary students in animal ethics helps them address moral dilemmas in their later careers. Teaching about animal ethics dilemmas to large student groups is challenging. Therefore, a polling series was created for first-year veterinary students at Ghent University, Belgium. Over the course of three theoretical sessions and during four consecutive academic years, students answered four questions about which animals they have at home, prioritization of animal versus owner interests, motivations for studying veterinary medicine, and eating patterns. Poll results were used to discuss student views in an applied session. The voluntary polls were a success, with more than half of the students taking part and with the participation rate increasing over four years. Findings indicate that animal ethics topics were more likely to elicit a response from students than veterinary ethics topics. This trend persisted in applied sessions, where students found it easier to discuss and substantiate animal ethics dilemmas compared to veterinary ethics dilemmas. In conclusion, discussing polling results on animal ethics dilemmas can help first-year veterinary students develop ethical awareness, personal identity, and decision-making skills.