Advice for cultivating and managing hard classroom conversations: Opinion

When difficult historical events unfold, writes Karlyn Crowley, faculty members may find themselves facing hard conversations in the classroom. Crowley provides advice for faculty who wish to cultivate and manage these conversations, such as considering the classroom space that the conversation should take place in; establishing a framework and ground rules for the conversation; and planning to close the conversation with intention. The author encourages faculty to have courage, and acknowledges that some conversations will fall apart despite the work done in preparation. “In the end, expanding our capacity to create authentic and powerful educational spaces is part of higher education’s fundamental mission,” concludes Crowley. “It is our call to teach into conflict.” Inside Higher Education Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.

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