Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The affect of insecurity in a classroom setting
The article The Roots of Debate in Education and the Hope of Dialogue highlights the argumentative culture in the classroom. The author Deborah Tannin explains some possible reasons for the agonistic nature in American and European classes, and goes into possible psychological and historic reasons for this argumentative culture. The part of the article that I found the most interesting was the way that some people in the class would purposely put down the subject so they wouldn't feel insecure about their inability to grasp it. When I heard this I thought back to a time when I was in class reading Shakespeare and everyone called Shakespeare stupid and annoying. It was almost as if they are putting the blame on Shakespeare, one of the best writers of all time, because they could not understand his writing. The main thing that fuels this argumentative culture in the class room is insecurity. And one of the main things that fuels insecurity is judgement. The classroom setting at this point has become almost like a self fulfilling prophecy. If one feels insecure they argue a point to try win the argument so they will feel better about themselves, but in the process they make the person they beat feel insecure, inevitably another argument will soon start. Unfortunately learning by arguing isn't always conducive to learning, only one person's opinion comes through, instead of an eclectic mix from the classroom as a whole. The only way to overcome the argumentative culture in a classroom is to respect one another, and have a very supportive setting so people don't feel the need to dominate.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
In response to Josh’s post, I feel the same way. First off though, I have had the same experience with Shakespeare’s readings with the classes’ reaction; even though I really like his works. But you exact point is the reason I rarely ever take any part in debate. The fact of getting shut down or even dragging on an argument does not have any appeal to me. I always feel as though when I do get overruled I never feel the need to participate if my ideas are not even worth listening too. Also, when each person always has to put someone else down in order to be the victor I would rather not be involved. I do not think I have ever been a part of a classroom discussion where everyone had agreed or even listened to someone’s opinion on an idea. There have been some agreements; it is only that if it agrees to their own idea. I liked how in the Tannen article under, “Getting Beyond Dualism” sections where it states, “make an effort to ask…not necessarily instead, but in addition” (285). Right there sums up what the section is about and that it to show “different kinds of views being expressed” (288) instead of it being as though on view is “versing” another.
ReplyDelete