A calming influence: Managing conflict and difficult conversations in the university classroom

Challenging Classroom Conversations

Challenging Classroom Conversations

Challenging Classroom Conversations

Responding to conflict or a heated moment? Begin response statements with some combination of your levels of understanding and agreement: I understand what you’re saying but I disagree with… I don’t understand this element of your statement… I agree with you on some of the things you’ve said, but in this way I disagree… Help me to understand… Check out the attached file for additional conflict resolution sentence starters "for Healthy Conflict" from Elena Aguilar's (2016) "The Art of Coaching Teams: Building Resilient Communities that Transform Schools" (published by Jossey-Bass).

Disruptive Students - This was an assumed issue just for K-12 settings. However, we have the current events and issues impact students at all levels in different ways. This is an older resource that helps to identify specific disruptive behavior types and offers some strategies for dealing with them. attached here and accessible at: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1590876479/northwestmsedu/mrlaokp6aqomejlcpd2f/copingwith7disruptivepersonalitytypes.pdf link

Walden University has shared... "There are many different scenarios for classroom conflicts, and not all can be resolved in the same manner; however, there are five key conflict resolution strategies that should be understood. Often a topic among teachers in online master’s degree programs, these strategies, when implemented appropriately, can help create a classroom that is more conducive to learning. They also help teach students valuable lessons for conflict resolution that can last a lifetime." To learn more about the five conflict resolution strategies (Problem-solving negotiations, Smoothing, Forcing or win-lose negotiations, Compromising, Withdrawing) visit: https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-arts-in-teaching/resource/five-strategies-for-managing-conflict-in-the-classroom link

The University of Waterloo's Center for Faculty Excellence has shared some interesting approaches for engaging students who are disruptive to your classroom learning environments: 1. Ask the students if they have a question. Sometimes talking during class is legitimate; students have missed a key definition or number and need clarification from someone sitting nearby. 2. Move closer to the disruptive students. Your proximity may signal to them that they are interrupting the class. 3. Make a general statement to the class about the disruption. If you do not feel comfortable singling people out, you can indicate to the class in general that the disruption level is too high and remind them of the ground rules you set on day one. 4. Use an active learning activity. Try a think-pair-share where you have students turn to the person next to them to discuss a problem or question. This will break up the flow of the class and help to re-capture students’ attention. It will also give you an opportunity to approach the disruptive students and discuss your concern with them. 5. Ask those who consistently disrupt the class to see you after class. This will give you an opportunity to air your concerns outside of class and indicate your displeasure with the students’ behavior without embarrassing them in front of the class. (Large Classes: Limiting the Chaos. Centre for Teaching Excellence, University of Waterloo) https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/catalogs/tip-sheets/large-classes-limiting-chaos link

Have you heard about MSU’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion? "The knowledge and skills necessary to navigate an increasingly diverse campus and interconnected world are substantial. The Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and its partners equip faculty, staff members and students with a variety of tools and resources necessary to be welcoming and inclusive of our diverse campus community through workshops, seminars, and trainings." Submit education requests for IDI services, including educator consultations, on this Google form (https://forms.gle/acniZ9ThopU4cUhdA) or email (inclusion@msu.edu). If you have questions about education programs offered by the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion or need to request a time-sensitive response please contact Dr. Patti Stewart at ps@msu.edu.