When one advocates for certain issues to be considered or noticed, it is commonly done by speaking, right? However, it is not as easy as said than done. Based on what I analyzed from my sources, it can significantly matter what the issue is about. It can a topic that someone could include their own opinion such as disagreeing, agreeing, or being neutral. From there, one can expand their opinion to more than a few words to speeches striving to make a point. It is effective in how and when someone opens up and expresses their own side of an issue before speaking up about other problems. Because it is due to the judgment that one clouds their mind of believing by speaking on their own ideas of the issue. I captured this result/experience from a video of an art teacher, Jonathan Dee. The video depicts Mr. Dee introducing his class to the barometer teaching strategy which is based on openly stating one's opinion on certain topics. Meaning, students were to move around the classroom depending on their answer (agree, disagree, or neutral) and ask for a few to explain why they chose or believed such a way. Later in the video, he conveys that trying out this strategy on his students, will boost their confidence or fear of criticism. Moreover, the other obstacle students face is comparing their own opinion to other peers/students. "....where one or two students seem to dominate the discussion, and that can shut off people’s opinions.” Based on these two main struggles for young ones to speak up for their own ideas/thoughts, such students should perceive to understand that it is more than fearing and comparing, it is a space to share. Mr. Dee seems to acknowledge that he considers methods such as the barometer teaching strategy so "...that students don't feel shut off ." On the other, it could also be that issues are not as simple to speak about on behalf of one's own opinion. What I'm saying is a topic, issue, matter, or event can lead someone to think irrationally or pursue to question the point of their surroundings and speak up about it. For instance, in a post by Dr. Steven Becton, they introduced their idea on the tragic and crucial death of Eric Garner. Dr. Becton expressed his grave shock and unsteadiness on the unrighteous way that such a person had been killed through a chokehold by an officer. That being said, the case had resulted in there being not sufficient justice towards Garner, just firing the officer from his position/job. This led Dr. Becton to advise his students “...to resist generalizations, to judge responsibly, to consider reliable sources, and to make conclusions without prejudice." Because it seems to occur in more than just this case from 2014 which is similar to the George Floyd case (2020). Highlighting that one has seen great changes through speaking yelling/hollering, marching, strikes, etc. But that has also brought along issues that remain the same as 'talking' about them is more than not enough, yet it doesn't signify a sign to give up. such should be sought with the right intentions and keeping in mind the ideas/opinions of others. To avoid wronging or selfishly helping one's own opinion.
References
Dr. Becton, S. (December 10, 2014). After eric garner: one school courageous conversation, Facing History & Ourselves.
Mr. Dee, J. (December 20, 2018). Barometer, Facing History & Ourselves
Hello Andrea! This is a great discussion and I agree with you when you explain that sometimes "talking" is simply not enough to address important issues that lead to conflict. Ultimately yes, it is important that we all remain open minded in conversation but how do we instill this idea in peoples' mind's? I also watched the video of teacher Jonathan Dee and appreciated how he gave more reserved students the opportunity to voice their opinions but outside of the classroom setting, where it is controlled and the teacher can operate as a mediator, how would these students engage in conversations? I do believe that the lessons being taught in Mr.Dee's classroom can absolutely be applied outside of class but I just don't know if that would actually come to pass. I think it's great to see so many young students being open mined and conversing but for most people it will lead back to square one of hostile conversations. I am really caught in the middle because it is so so so important we teach youth how to talk to each other about uncomfortable topics but what about everyone else? How do you address parents who are close minded and teaching their kids that that is appropriate?
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea! this is such a beautiful post. I definitely agree with you when you stated, " sought with the right intentions and keeping in mind the ideas/opinions of others." It's so important that we recognize the intentions of conversations. But there are times when children are just repeating the words of the people around them without understanding what they are saying. How can we keep these conversations civil and respectful? Also, there are times when children are told to "be quiet" in their life so it's not always easy for them to share. At a young age, children have biases, typically their parents. So, how do we teach the right intentions, a positive environment, open-mindedness, and how to think for themselves, not the people at home? How do we deal with the guardians of the children if they don't agree with their child's opinion and become aggravated with the teacher? There are flaws in this strategy, but I believe we can grow this strategy and make it work. Thank you, I hope to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteHi Brittnee! Thanks for commenting! I get what you're saying about how, at a young age, our opinion is significantly built from what we heard and were pushed to view ourselves and our surroundings. By our closest relatives to even our friends/acquaintances. And, when we decide to give up on such ideas, they apply manipulation or force to keep us silent to avoid us from fighting back/ arguing with their beliefs. Which at that point, can lead us to struggle to speak on our behalf, to speak about what we believe compared to others' opinions. It should be advocated to make close people ours to see and hear that we hold our own beliefs. Whether they are with or against theirs, it should be understood that there will be another opinion, other voices than our own. None is better than the other, no voice should be needed to be silenced.
DeleteHi Andrea! This post did such a good job of explaining how other teachers are encouraging communication. I remember in English last year, every month my teacher would use the Barometer method to introduce our next book to us. While this was a great way to get all of this involved and excited for the next book, it would almost always end in a debate or an argument in some way. Everyone has their own opinions and many times being able to communicate openly about those opinions does end up in a debate of some kind. How can we as future teachers encourage discussion without the feeling of being put down by others? You never know what a student has experienced in his or her lifetime that could influence how they see the world. Because of that, I feel like it is so important to be open and encourage discussion with students so that they can learn at a young age that it is okay to have different ideas and beliefs than others.
ReplyDeleteHi Abbey, thank you for commenting! I understand what you mean about students having opinions but not being built on their own ideas or thoughts. Close people or such as guardians, parents, relatives, and friends influence what we later state to be our own words. Based on what I've seen, when one ends up under the such influence, I believe they strive more to defend their own opinion, implying being biased and less open to hearing out others/opposing ideas. On the other hand, your point on conversations and what matter they could be initiated does seem a voice to be much of a trigger to start most conversations. While actions do also speak in their own way, words are capable to vary through the volume they are used in certain moments/times.
ReplyDeleteHi Riley! I appreciate your comment! I also experienced having a few teachers using the Barometer method to loosen up the class. It does help students move around, meet other students that agree on the same idea, defend their opinion, and hear out about other students' agreeing on a different idea. Nonetheless, most do end up as a debate or argument that may seem to have no end, as you have mentioned. If I could propose a way to compromise without it unfolding or leading itself to become a whole argument between students is coming to an understanding. While they might come back to the issue or matter to continue to disagree/agree on ideas, directing them to the idea that we can't all agree or disagree on the same. It would dismiss the importance to have different opinions and different voices from each other. With such opposing viewpoints, it can allow us to compare both and identify the flaws that they can have which can lead us to establish a compromising idea/belief.
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