tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post3776651758629069529..comments2024-03-29T10:51:27.752+13:00Comments on Not PC: Dealing with politically sensitive topics in the classroomPeter Cresswellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699845031503699181noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-65325605577068921562012-12-10T15:06:10.024+13:002012-12-10T15:06:10.024+13:00I was being more general with my comment, and agre...I was being more general with my comment, and agree that this doesn't apply to kids (or those who don't have the opportunity to put their case). <br /><br />The students in this case do sound to be on the older side however, so it's reasonable to at least ask them to explain the basis of their opinions, and correct any errors of fact or logic that caused them to come to untenable conclusions. twrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10312229399327994398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-5816957496358468732012-12-10T13:40:36.406+13:002012-12-10T13:40:36.406+13:00@ twr: I'd wholeheartedly agree with that sen...@ twr: I'd wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment when it comes to adults, but only partially when it comes to kids. Kids say ridiculous things all the time. It's it's their way of testing what's reasonable and getting to grips with reality, in a brain that's still forming itelf.<br /><br />If they say something that's clearly wrong they should be told why, but as a general rule they shouldn't be ridiculed. Otherwise you run the risk they'll stop questioning and accept on faith whatever comes from their parents or teachers. That would be a bad thing, even if what you're telling them happens to be right.MarkThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06199883270652041621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-19152894391189547882012-12-10T10:28:54.819+13:002012-12-10T10:28:54.819+13:00@twr: Yes, I fear so. If this blog had a mission s...@twr: Yes, I fear so. If this blog had a mission statement, that idea would be among them.<br /><br />That said, however, a schoolroom is neither a blog nor a parliament. In a schoolroom, understanding has to come before ridicule.<br /><br />I always liked Bertrand Russell's point made in his introduction to his 'History of Philosophy,' that the first reaction when studying philosophy's history is to leap to ridicule at all the apparently absurd ideas. <br /><br />But the first job in learning, he argued, was to first come to understand WHY otherwise intelligent people came to accept such apparently notions, and only then--once you have the full context, and you've had a chance to toss an idea around--is the student in a position to know the idea fully for themselves.<br /><br />This is really the approach of reason, which students should see in action in their classrooms.<br /><br />Ridicule should come later.Peter Cresswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699845031503699181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-24165699756864256412012-12-10T09:34:39.326+13:002012-12-10T09:34:39.326+13:00"...express their ideas and opinions without ...<i>"...express their ideas and opinions without fear of ridicule or criticism."</i><br /><br />Not ridiculing ridiculous ideas is what ends up giving them tacit legitimacy. twrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10312229399327994398noreply@blogger.com