Our students are watching: navigating heightened polarization during class discussion
English Teaching: Practice & Critique
ISSN: 1175-8708
Article publication date: 18 May 2018
Issue publication date: 7 June 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide teachers with research and methodological findings for planning, facilitating and assessing classroom discussions around difficult, political issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper focuses on navigating political polarization in classroom discussions. The research supported three teaching interns in developing classroom cultures where such discussions could and did happen.
Findings
Findings include the importance of having difficult discussions, the methods for doing so successfully and the introduction of a new activity, Daily Independent Listening.
Originality/value
In a climate of heightened partisanship, this research and these teaching examples provide models for all teachers engaging in such important work.
Keywords
Citation
Laughter, J., Huddleston, A., Shipman, M. and Victory, H. (2018), "Our students are watching: navigating heightened polarization during class discussion", English Teaching: Practice & Critique, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 103-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/ETPC-05-2017-0049
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited