First Discussion for TESL CALLspot by Jeremy
Should Certain Topics be Off-Limits for Students in Classroom Blogs?
I began to think about this topic after getting my class schedule at work for the coming week. For the first time in almost a year I will have a class with no students from Saudi Arabia. My students from there have always been great, but I have noticed that some topics, noteably those concerning religion and politics, are avoided or you find that a student makes a statement and everyone fully agrees. I always get the feeling that some students don't actually agree, but don't wish to raise a dissenting voice. In a forum like blogs, where students may feel more relaxed should instructors restrict topics, even if students find them interesting? Will there be any retaliation towards students if they post a dissenting view from their countrymen? I tried finding articles online, but nothing really jumped out at me. I did ,however, find a list of ten blog topics that definitely don't work well.
-Top Ten Worst Blog Topics http://dds.hubpages.com/hub/Top-ten-WORST-blog-topics
Jeremy, I think instructors should restrict topics, even if students find them interesting. Some students do not feel comfortable talking about certain topics like religion or political issues. Religion issues are for religious studies class not in second language acquisition classes. The issue of politics has a place and it’s not in a language class. Sometimes students express their feels about their countrymen or their country but as a professional teacher should discourage such topics. As far as I am concern, I do not like to mix politics or religion in a class room setting.
ReplyDeleteLuna, I too tend to feel uncomfortable discussing certain topis in social environments ~ whether classroom or Starbucks.
DeleteThen I had to stop and think about something ...
A blog is nothing more than a social media tool ~ a means of enhancing and supporting meaningful communication between learners. When utilizing any one method of social media in the classroom, protocol should be considered as a prerequisite. In other words, ascertaining "blog etiquette" is vital. Blogs provide students with a wide audience for their writing, art, and other creative works. However, to ensure that students are using blogs in ways that support significant learning, teachers need to clearly define the intended objectives for learning and determine whether a blog is the best instructional tool for meeting those objectives. This can easily be established in the classroom.
I think that is a very good point. If the objectives and rules are set up in the classroom then there should not be any issues on the blog. Thank you for your comment.
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ReplyDeleteI think yes instructors should be restricted about some topics specially those about religion.
ReplyDeleteyou have mentioned saudi Arabia here and you said that students may agree on others opinions while they have their own, I think this is has nothing to do with our culture,, this is what I think!!!
Raneem,
DeleteI agree, opinions are personal not cultural. However, would you agree that some cultures are more opinionated than others? For examples, my husband is a German National ... I found that Northern Germans tend to be more direct than Southern Germans. In other words, more opinionated. The same between New Yorkers and Texans, New Yorkers are direct whereas Texas tend to be ... polite?!? We, Texans, tend to say thank you, please, Yes ma'am, No ma'am. While in New York, I would told I use too many words when speaking ~ by adding all the Yes ma'am, and thank you very much, etc. Just a thought ...
Final note: E-mail etiquette has been around for over a decades now ~ therefore, transference from e-mail etiquette to blog etiquette can be a successful transition. Like Luna's belief, growing up, I was taught not to discuss race, religion, or politics in social settings. Reason being, too many emotions are tired into such topics ~ foundation of any emotion, FEAR ~ FEAR of the unknown outcome ...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts ...
Cat
Excellent topic of discussion Jeremy ...
ReplyDeleteTen words or less ... Yes, certain topics should be "off-limits" within the classroom.
Unless, course is that of topic, i.e., race, religion, politics, cultural difference, etc.
I do however agree with you Jeremy in regards to, "a student makes a statement and everyone fully agrees." I too believe students may not agree although, they may not voice their opinion. Social media is a somewhat safe environment to do so ...
Thanks! Cat
This is an interesting question, and one that I should consider. As an instructor of writing at the college level for the last seven years, I have never restricted topics, such as politics or religion. Depending on the course, I have ventured down these roads numerous times with students. In fact, some of my most memorable and productive class discussions came from discussing post 9/11 realities for a Muslim student in my class. There was a disagreement among students, but I felt my role as instructor was to help them navigate these conversations in a productive, sensitive manner. This perhaps stems from my teaching philosophy; I believe a liberal arts education should first and foremost create a thinker (not a “worker”).
ReplyDeleteHowever I can see how the ELL classroom might be different in nature from the other undergraduate classes I have taught. I can only speak from my experiences teaching at a university, though, and I see no problems with allowing my students to discuss politics and religion if it is an appropriate reaction to a reading. In fact, I think students need the practice discussing a wide array of topics. I realize this might change depending on the location of the ELL class.
--Misty
I agree that topics shouldn't be restricted by the teacher. Topics can be suggested to maybe avoid uncomfortable subjects. But this can be tricky as whats acceptable is probably subjective. Then again if the purpose is to get people to talk, a "controversial" topic might be the way to go with it. Hopefully everyone can be an adult and respect others opinions. Although, I sometimes read articles online and the comments sections are filled with hateful replies. This is probably a result of the responders having anonymity.
DeleteHaving a discussion in class and having one online are different experience and chances are people respond differently in different places.
I think I forgot what my point was, anyways I like and agree with your comment Misty; liberal arts education should first and foremost create a thinker (not a “worker”)
Hi Jeremy ,
Deletewell I believe that the absolute freedom or the right to speak is not exist for everyone yet and the free to speech doesn't always mean a responsible and appropriate one!. I believe we should avoid talking about three things in classrooms " or at least we should be little restricted" :sex, politics and religion because they are among the most critical components and might turn to very ugly arguments.
I think we can find a huge number of people who agree on General topics but as soon as you get to the details we'll start seeing many different opinions.
Anyways, blogs and other social networking websites help students to communicate with each other and get over their shyness and for sure they do a great job in integrating learning to students lives.
Thank you for your comment. I did have an interesting conversation in class once about the differences between Sunnis and Shi'ites. All of the students were Sunnis, so I don't know if I got the full picture, but it was very informative.
DeleteGreat Jeremy, I like this question on top of your first discussion from TESL CALL spot, "Should Certain Topics be Off-Limits for Students in Classroom Blogs", and I support your message you have sent to us.
ReplyDeleteOne of the greatest aspects of our human lives is to be free people and express ourselves in a free way. I know what is means to be a free from my own experience, after I escaped from persecution of the Soviet System, where I could not live as a free man.
As we have a great privilege to enjoy freedom of this nation, we should express ourselves as a free people in different aspects of our lives, including political or religious issues and we should not avoid any topics we have in our minds for any reason, because this nation respects and supports our human freedom.
Through the freedom, we can express and exchange our ideas of any subjects and in this way we could increase our knowledge about them.
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ReplyDeleteLol @"Know your Mucous" Blog. I've been sick for the past week, so this blog (if it existed) would probably be beneficial to me, if not, humorous.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that controversial topics, such as religion and politics, should not be restricted. However I do think as an educator that if you're going to bring up this topic you must do your research and be prepared. How might the students in your class react to such a topic, etc., what are your reasons for discussing it? Also, I think some ELL students would be more likely to respond through a blog, rather than in a class, because they've had more time to think about what they want to say. Actually that applies to me as well; it sometimes takes me a little longer to formulate my ideas. They might also feel safer responding online, like Arm323 mentioned as a blogger you do have the choice of posting anonymously, so retaliation from other students with different viewpoints doesn't have to be something to worry about.
In general, I do not believe topics should be restricted for blogs or in class discussion. I think if a topic arises in class then it is something likely to arise outside of class as well therefore, it is a good chance to practice new vocabulary. However, if I were teaching in another country or if sensitive topics like this were offensive to my students I would be inclined to steer the conversation in another direction. Classrooms should be organic learning environments where conversation flows and students are able to learn new and interesting things. One's teaching setting should be considered before determining what may be appropriate and effective for the student's optimal growth.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. This is a very good point. A conversation on prisoners of war led to a student mentioning that his father spent 10 years in Iran as a POW. I thought that I should finish the discussion there, but the student really wanted to talk about it and in the end the other students and I learned a lot.
DeleteI agree that the teaching setting might inhibit freedom of discussion. This really seems like something someone should inquire about before taking a position in a new setting, so they are prepared for the expectations of the institution.
Deleteeremy, I think instructors should restrict topics, even if students find them interesting. Some students do not feel comfortable talking about certain topics like religion or political issues. Religion issues are for religious studies class not in second language acquisition classes. The issue of politics has a place and it’s not in a language class. Sometimes students express their feels about their countrymen or their country but as a professional teacher should discourage such topics. As far as I am concern, I do not like to mix politics or religion in a class room setting.
ReplyDeleteTerrific topic for beginning our class blogging project. I have been reading this discussion with great interest as it reflects an issue many of us will have to face whether moderating a discussion in an online blog or face-to-face.
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate the argument that as a language teacher, the focus of the class is not on politics or religion or any other specifically narrow topic (e.g. movies, pop culture, holidays, employment, enlightenment, etc.) that has been specified by the curriculum/course objectives. However, I also recognize that providing students the opportunity to talk about what they are interested in and passionate about can provide them with opportunities for interaction, input, output and negotiation necessary for second language development to occur. It makes sense, however, that not all students are motivated or discomfited by the same topics so that fostering productive discussion and target language use also requires the teacher to be attuned to class interest and comfort and moderates the discussion accordingly.
At the same time, I struggle with the idea that politics in particular has no place in the language classroom. The dilemma I face concerns what is meant by politics and how to recognize political discourse. Those who have taken the sociolinguistics class have already encountered discussion to the effect that teaching is not a politically neutral act. In fact, there are those who take the position that the teaching of English is an extremely political act (e.g. English language instruction has replaced instruction in other foreign languages or even mother tongue instruction in the K-12 curriculum in many contexts because it is seen as more a prestigious/powerful/economically advantageous language). As a result, banning the discussion of politics outright seems to ignore the fact that politics is present in every single class interaction in this politically powerful and non-neutral language.
I have found that discussing what is happening in the primaries to be interesting to the students as well as the electoral college. Also, discussing a slightly eccentric leader ,such as the late Kim Jung-Il, brings a few smiles to a lesson with political vocabulary. I always tell my students about the time I was late to a class because my bus was stuck at an intersection due to The Great Leader and Putin's motorcade.
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ReplyDeleteJeremy, your excellent discussion question reminds me of much similar experience associated with my own English learning process through a unique perspective. I think our world is a mixture of colorful cultures with large variety of preference and avoidance, sometimes people don't understand, even don't like to accept certain of unconscious shielding away from topics like religion or politics that usually be thought as normal. But learning another language always means to face another different culture that may own completely different values on something, and it is rightly culture-content that carries with the essential knowledge and skills of language. If a blog can be provided as a teaching and learning platform for students and teachers to communicate different values and opinions about specific topic, less restriction and sense of safe due to the virtually on-line distance will make students feel more comfortable to develop free discussion. And another point I take into consideration is that if the topic that is a really taboo for somebody they may give no response even out of classroom or an extreme reply like what you said kind of retaliation. So I think teachers don't need deliberately limit sensitive topics to all students but sometimes are ought to deal with it by other tender ways like giving prompt "you can choose to skip this discussion if you don't want to talk about it".
ReplyDeleteMin, I agree that the teacher should work to mitigate any potentially offensive interchanges between students.
DeleteJeremy, I think the question you have mentioned takes place everywhere other than in United States. In China, we also have same sort of dilemma in acdemic teaching.I used to have a class which was similar to CALL. There were 45 students in that class. At the begining of first two weeks, we blogged different types of information on class blog. However, some students are from Islamic religion, and they were unhappy to see some pictures or statements posted on blog assiciated with Pigs. Our teacher didn`t notice that until someone pointed out. Just like what you have mentioned about the worst blog topic, I think teacher should banlance the blog for public. Sometimes Certain Topics being Off-Limits for Students in Classroom Blogs is a good way to avoid unnecessary contradiction.
ReplyDeleteSincerely yours
Alex
I think everyone has made some excellent points. We do not talk about politics and religion because you do not know who you will offend. Therefore, I think that topics should be restricted when it comes to what can and cannot be posted on a blog. I do not, however, think that these topics cannot be talked about in a structured class setting where the teacher is present and can navigate the class away from any possible hurt. The problem with the blog is that in some cases anyone can read that comment and it has your name next to an offending comment that might be on this blog possibly forever. There are times when the class can debate politics or religion, but a public blog simply is not one of them, because part of the fun of a blog is that it is open to the public. And part of the job of a teacher is to create a safe environment for his or her students.
ReplyDeleteI don't think choose religion or politics topic is good way in the class. But if the teacher need to teach students some knowledge about religion or politics. I think the student need to regularly use a normal to treat these knowledges.For example, The history teacher need to teach a part of history about slaves, but the class has some black students; does the teacher should change the topic? So, if some religion or politics is important knowledge the students should to know, whatever, the students come from which country or which religion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with much of what has already been said. I learned from an early age that it wasn't a good idea to talk money, religion, or politics. But of course there are situations where these topics can make for fascinating discussion material. For example, last spring semester I was teaching an ESL class while the Arab Spring unfolded, and we talked about it almost daily. None of my students were from any countries which were directly effected, so it was less controversial than it might have been had the student population been different. I think a teacher must use his or her best judgement to decide what is and is not appropriate in a given class.
ReplyDeleteI agree with much of what has already been said. I learned from an early age that it wasn't a good idea to talk money, religion, or politics. But of course there are situations where these topics can make for fascinating discussion material. For example, last spring semester I was teaching an ESL class while the Arab Spring unfolded, and we talked about it almost daily. None of my students were from any countries which were directly effected, so it was less controversial than it might have been had the student population been different. I think a teacher must use his or her best judgement to decide what is and is not appropriate in a given class.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good point you make regarding audience or who comprises your class. In some cases, discussing world or current events can be a great way to elicit language production on topics of interest and relevance to students in the class. In other cases, these discussions veer into discussing politics, which can lead to some of the concerns raised above.
DeleteI think learning a foreign language is a bridge into a foreign culture which includes religion and politics. The idea of limiting topics for language learning activities is great; unless the instructor can train or advise their students on how discuss such topics. If the student wants to learn a limited topic in class, the student should do it in private were emotions will be hidden from others. Yet it’s good to know the basics of politics and religion, just to avoid embarrassing yourself or disrespecting somebody. I think that language class should also have a component of culture. I see the benefits of the blog, for example, students would have a little bit more to think and respond than in a classroom.
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