Kohlberg’s theory of moral development has many implications in the classroom of the twenty – first century. As learning managers attempt to educate students to become critical thinkers and active and informed citizens, challenging and developing students moral reasoning becomes an important aspect of educating for the future. Knowledge of students level of moral reasoning is also essential to understanding students behaviours and in developing suitable behaviour management strategies and plans.
Kohlberg’s theory builds upon Piaget’s theory of moral development. Piaget linked moral development with his theory of cognitive development and believed that as people cognitive ability developed so to did their moral dev