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How to mitigate difficult conversations in your class in 7 steps or less


However uncomfortable difficult conversations may be, avoiding them means losing potential teachable moments. Use the following seven steps to create a classroom environment that helps students develop the skills to engage in difficult conversations.

  1. Think about any hot button topics that could arise in your course material. If you taught the course before, you may have an idea of which ones might cause more of a reaction. Prepare these lessons intentionally by assigning readings that offer different perspectives to have students consider opinions that might conflict with their own.
  2. Be sure to focus the conversations around learning objectives so that if a conversation strays into dangerous territory, you can redirect it and get students back on topic. Additionally, consider the questions that you ask, using pointed questions to shape the course of the conversation.
  3. Build a supportive, inclusive class atmosphere from day one so students can trust you and one another. The old saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” applies here.
  4. Include a statement on your syllabus outlining the kind of atmosphere that you would like your classroom to be. Encourage students to be critical of the readings and also of their reactions, giving justification for their disagreements.
  5. Have the class create goals and guidelines for class discussions, which will allow them to take part in developing a supportive classroom environment.
  6. Teach, model, and develop productive conversation skills throughout the term. You should not assume that students are able to handle difficult conversations—especially if they are difficult for you!
  7. Scaffold! Have low stakes conversations at the beginning of term so they can tackle the more difficult ones when the time comes.
For more details, visit the article "Seven Bricks to Lay the Foundation for Productive Difficult Dialogues."

 



10/18/2018

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