Teaching Controversial Topics

Goals

• Consider goals and challenges in teaching a controversial topic
• Become familiar with a variety of pedagogical approaches and resources for teaching controversial topics
• Develop a plan for handling this topic in your class(es)
  

Program

Presentation Slides (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 55.5MB Jul15 15)

Participant Workspace1:30 Welcome and introductions

1:40 Reflecting on "your" controversy

• What controversial topic(s) do you wish to include in your class(es)?
• Why is it controversial? What are the challenges to teaching this topic?
• Why should it be taught?
• What student learning outcomes are associated with teaching this controversial topic?
• What approach is appropriate for your venue: ignoring, addressing, or exploring the controversial aspects?

2:10 Essential components of teaching a controversial topic with sensitivity and integrity

• Building trust in the classroom - attitudes and pedagogies
• Defining what is controversial and dismantling misconceptions
• Building a foundation for the controversial material
• Delivering the controversial material
• Providing opportunities for student reflection and response
• Reinforcing the controversial topic throughout the course

3:00 Resources for addressing the controversial topic

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• Teaching Controversial Topics from On the Cutting Edge
• Skeptical Science
• National Academy of Sciences (1998) Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of Science.
  

3:15 "Half the fun is to plan the plan"

3:45 Final reflection, sharing of approaches

4:15 Adjourn