Class discussions can be a very beneficial tool for young learners. They teach students soft skills, including how to back up a statement with the most useful and supportive information and how to reason (and explain their reasoning). Not just that, though – discussions also help students learn how to interact with someone who has a different opinion than them and that there are always multiple ways of viewing a single issue. That said, class discussions about controversial topics can be tense and difficult for many students. Here are four tips to keep in mind when you're holding a contentious discussion:
1. Set guidelines
Students will only be comfortable sharing their opinions and beliefs in a safe and respectful environment, and they should never feel like they're being personally attacked. That means it's important to lay down some ground rules up front. Have students think about previous discussions they've had together and brainstorm rules based on what worked and what didn't. Write these rules on the board so they're visible throughout the debate. Some basics include:
- While you can disagree with an opinion, attacking a person will not be tolerated.
- Keep your disagreements respectful and based in facts and logic.
- Never interrupt when another student is speaking.
2. Have students prepare first
It's helpful for students to prepare for a discussion by reading about the issue, making note of key points and writing down some of their thoughts and feelings about the topic. Give students access to scholarly information on both sides of the debate so that they're fully prepared.
3. Let it happen
Think about the role you want to play as a teacher. Do you want to play devil's advocate? Or, do you want to sit back and simply facilitate? Either method has its pros and cons. If you can, avoid letting students know how you feel about the issue, at least until the discussion is over for the day.
It's also important that, either way, you let your pupils work out disagreements on their own (as long as they're being respectful and adhering to the rules). The discussion will flourish so much more if they aren't constantly being refereed.
4. Know how to end the discussion
Many educators know that when class discussions are going really well, students sometimes don't want them to end. However, as the class is drawing to a close it's important to take a few minutes to come up with some conclusions together. Have students write down or share as a group some of the most important points they've learned, or a well-supported claim by another student that made them see something differently.
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