All Social Science instructors have experience with an outspoken student. And in the days of 24 hour cable news with shows like Crossfire most students believe that yelling is debate. I have observed students that could not separate the theory from the instructor (see my June 2nd posting "My Letter To The Editor"). I am fortunate that I have not had such students. This is due to me playing both sides of the debate in a very obvious way by using outrageous arguments from both sides. Students are never sure about my political leanings and see me as a fair moderator. However, I have had experiences where the discussion goes into the FOX zone. When do you stop the discussion and get them back to the topic? Do you stop them or allow them or allow them to make mistakes? When do you stop the crazy ranting and raving of some students with strong opinions? Yes, but how would one do that without being accused of being a pinko liberal or a right wing nut?
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Does Student Dissent Promote Learning?
All Social Science instructors have experience with an outspoken student. And in the days of 24 hour cable news with shows like Crossfire most students believe that yelling is debate. I have observed students that could not separate the theory from the instructor (see my June 2nd posting "My Letter To The Editor"). I am fortunate that I have not had such students. This is due to me playing both sides of the debate in a very obvious way by using outrageous arguments from both sides. Students are never sure about my political leanings and see me as a fair moderator. However, I have had experiences where the discussion goes into the FOX zone. When do you stop the discussion and get them back to the topic? Do you stop them or allow them or allow them to make mistakes? When do you stop the crazy ranting and raving of some students with strong opinions? Yes, but how would one do that without being accused of being a pinko liberal or a right wing nut?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment