Topic 6 Discussion Questions 1 & 2

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Topic6DQ2CollaborativeMethodsofDataAnalysis.docx

1

How a Teacher Can Address a Sensitive Issue in Class

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Name

Professor’s Name

Date

How a Teacher Can Address a Sensitive Issue in Class

Sensitive issues are known to elicit serious emotions. This can further spiral into a debate that may eventually result in a conflict. As a result, a teacher should ensure due diligence while presenting issues that can cause division. This involves proper preparation of the presentation beforehand, also preparation of the students so that nobody can feel targeted in any way.

To better address developing issues from the sensitive topic of discussion, the teacher must ensure to be very empathetic and civil in his/her approach to the subject matter (Ebers, 2021). To aid in this, it is important to frame questions in a manner that does not encourage taking sides but rather encourages well-researched and civil discussions. Secondly, the teacher should encourage strict reference to published materials whenever the students are making their points to avoid rumor-mongering. Thirdly, the teacher must be ready to moderate the discussion whenever the discussions go overboard as well as correct any misinformation. Lastly, at the end of the discussion, there should be no winners or losers, instead, everybody should have gained from the objectives of the study.

To avoid a conflict, the teacher should psychologically prepare the students and parents earlier by stating the learning objectives of the topic of discussion, informing the students that it is okay to have divergent opinions and that everyone is open to air their opinions but respectably and sensibly, asking the students to read ahead and research on the topic before the actual discussion. Moreover, the teacher can give the students a list of questions to reflect on before the day of the discussion (Ebers, 2021). This will encourage the students to develop a different and positive view of the matter as opposed to their prior experiences. The students will understand the aspects of learning that they will benefit from the topic, and this will ultimately encourage them to be sensible people who have a multi-faceted approach to sensitive issues while being respectful to their teacher and peers.

References

Ebers, N. V. (2021, June 22). Addressing Sensitive Topics in the Classroom. Magoosh for Schools.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/schools.magoosh.com/schools-blog/addressing-sensitive-topics-in-the-classroom%3fhs_amp=true