HOT TOPICS


Daphne



Joined: 13 Nov 2004
Posts: 3
Location: In an office near you
	
PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:54 pm    Post subject: Hot Topics 	Reply with quote
To get us started, perhaps we could create a list of "hot topics"?

Here are some of mine--please don't hesitate to dispute their veritable hotness:

1) How to avoid "burn-out" (incl. time management techniques, self-care, inspirational/motivational quotations and mantras, and perhaps the creation of support systems)
2) Paper commenting (how much is too much?)
3) Being "great" (I still don't consider myself on par with some of my own favorite instructors; what could I do to ramp up my abilities and listening skills and identify that Favorite Teacher X-factor?)
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JenniferL
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:53 pm    Post subject: Another topic 	Reply with quote
Hi Daphne,

Thanks for getting us started on a topic list. Here is one from me:

- Bringing current events (including very immediate, controversial ones) into the classroom.

This topic is inspired by a letter to the editor, titled "Schools should teach politics," in Saturday's (11/13) Register-Guard by a South Eugene High School student who was troubled that the results of the '04 presidential and local elections were not mentioned in any of his classes.

When are instructors appropriately cautious in not raising issues likely to spark partisan, vocal commentary from students? Is it ever reasonable to align ourselves with political parties in our classes, or bring in politically "inflammatory" left- or right-leaning written or visual material? Is having students write about such material "safer" and/or saner than having them talk about it? When instructors have a prior set agenda to accomplish, when is it appropriate or necessary to break from this to incorporate discussion/writing on current events? (Etc.)

Looking forward to hearing others' ideas! --JL
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Daphne



Joined: 13 Nov 2004
Posts: 3
Location: In an office near you
	
PostPosted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:01 am    Post subject: 	Reply with quote
Jennifer,

That's an excellent topic. I'd be interested in reading the article you mentioned. My Tuesday night class coincided with election night, and (without bringing up my political affiliation) I thought it might be interesting to watch some of the election coverage. Unfortunately, the only channel that came in clearly was FOX.

In any case, one student said, "Some people believe that the twin towers incident had something to do with Iraq." He referred to these people as "ignorant," at which point another student flushed red and began fervently presenting her view and defending herself against the <i>ad hominem</i> comment. The two argued for several minutes until I, also flustered, stopped them, reminded them of the "safe" conversational space that is our classroom.

Last week, during our student conference, the woman who believes that the WTC incident was connected to Iraq offerred me some feedback. She was still obviously bothered by the small argument that occurred a few weeks prior. She suggested that I not introduce such controversial topics in future writing classes, and she expressed disappointment that our class met during the weeks leading up to the election. As a Bush-supporter and staunch Republican, she felt like she presented a minority viewpoint among other students and instructors.

I do think we had to bring up the election somewhat. Otherwise, the election would have been the proverbial invisible elephant in the middle of the room.

Also, I don't think the students' short argument tainted the classroom environment. It presented a "teachable moment," in that right away we cut off their debate so that even these two responsible students could know that it's never okay to make an <i>ad hominem</i> attack, even when they strongly believe they're in the right and even when the attack is under the guise of "those people over there," because surely "those people" are sometimes in the room. Perhaps another instructor would want their students to hash it out, after blowing the personal-attack whistle. I just couldn't do it, and I think the two students in question wouldn't have gotten very far, especially given that it was election week.

In sum, I am taking into account this student's feedback, even though I disagree with her "no controversial topics" stance. Next time I teach an Argument course, I'll set up some rules or discuss in greater detail (perhaps with a handout) what I mean by a "safe" conversational space or, as Wendy Counsil does, I'll request that they collaboratively come up with their own rules.

In response to one of your questions, I am careful about presenting my own politics in class and used to never mention any of my values and views. Now I sacrifice <i>some</i> of the mystery, in favor of showing my own humanity in the classroom.

Being that this is a fairly long comment, I'll stop here and respond to your other questions later.

Enjoy the long weekend!
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JenniferLove



Joined: 13 Nov 2004
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 03, 2004 7:22 am    Post subject: Teachable moment 	Reply with quote
Hi Daphne,

That's a fascinating account of the "election night events" that occurred in your classroom last month! I appreciate your describing in detail the encounter between the two students, and how you responded: doing your best to quell the "flames" while still indicating that differences/conflict can and should occur in our classrooms. (I, too, have had students suggest to me that controversial topics should be avoided--even in an "argument"-based class. Difficult to do that! And yet one can see why students suggest it--especially those who feel themselves to represent a minority viewpoint, like the self-described Republican in your class.)

It's interesting (and neat!) that you've chosen lately to allow yourself to emerge as a politically-aligned person in your classes. I think any instructor takes a risk in "outing" herself politically--writing instructors especially so, since students are extremely quick to notice when/if instructors may be responding negatively to their writing because of political or philosophical differences. (Of course, most of us try mightily not to do this. . . . But I think that as an instructor, my biases creep out unproductively at times.)

A few thoughts about sharing materials on these topics:

- I saved a copy of the R-G letter to the editor I mentioned, as well as a recent one that responds to it. I'll make copies of these and put them in your box. (Note to all: I would be happy to do this for anyone who'd like to read them!)

- Kate Sullivan gave me a wonderful "appropriate conduct code" template early this term, which I revised lightly and now use in my classes. It makes a big difference in terms of how students respond to each other, I think. Let me know if you'd like a copy.

Best wishes,
Jennifer
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capehartn



Joined: 09 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:16 pm    Post subject: 	Reply with quote
I just got on. somehow in the clutter of last quarter and the holidays I didn't start this until now.

I would like a copy of the appropriate conduct code. I have my own but don't publish it to the students, however, I think it might be good to.
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Nate Capehart
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:23 pm    Post subject: Conduct code 	Reply with quote
Hi Nate,

Sure. I'll email you a copy of the conduct code.

Best,
Jennifer
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FIRST POSTING

Russell



Joined: 13 Nov 2004
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 3:14 am    Post subject: First Posting 	Reply with quote
Hi to all, and a shout out to Ken for doing a wonderful job!
Very Happy
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JenniferL
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 4:40 pm    Post subject: A new discussion forum! 	Reply with quote
Yes, Ken--thanks very much for setting up this conversation space! (I'm writing myself a sticky note to stick on my computer to remind myself to check the postings reg'larly.) - Have a great weekend, all! JL
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Daphne



Joined: 13 Nov 2004
Posts: 3
Location: In an office near you
	
PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:51 pm    Post subject: 	Reply with quote
Seems like we can't get enough verbal stimulation, we English teachers...

As long as we don't initiate that new trend of having conference calls, I'll be pleased. In any case, I enjoy online dialogue. Wink

Having maintained a bulletin board in the past, one thing I've noticed is that it takes some vigilance to keep an organized board. Ken, I'm not sure what your preferences are in bb organization. How about, if we want to speak to a particular topic, let's create clear topic headings and agree to start new threads if the conversations diverge from the topic being discussed?

I'll leave my thoughts at that, in the spirit of these preliminary postings. If you'll all permit me, I will start a new thread that'll help identify what we have at issue.
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