religion
a studens religion has a place in the class room as it does in the world. student need to learn to respect there peirs no matter what their beliefs may be. condeming, preaching, scare tactics and discrimination has no place in a classroom or society.
Hi Victoria - Excellent point - sometimes going off topic can lead to some amazing discussions!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
This comes up in my classroom from time to time with a particular student. Usually, I let her talk because most of it is not in a preaching manner. In fact, most of her stories lead to politics, culture and how diviversity is handled in her native country. This is not only informative and interesting but also a very effective way to engage the other students and teach them something as well. Sometimes students learn just as much from peer interaction as they do from us as their instructor. As good instructors we have to let our students get off topic sometimes as long as something is being learned.
Hi Gitthaline- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that when the topic of religion is brought up by students it can be useful to engage in a discussion. Of course the instructor must be careful to moderate the discussion adequately.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
If this comes up in my class which it can as we normally discuss diffrent religions and how they may accept treatment and such, if there is someone from a certian religion I ask them to expalian their beliefs so that we all can get a better undrstanding. I do this as well when students ask me questions about my religious beliefs. We can't seperate ourselves from our religios beliefs but we can learn about someone by better understanding them.
Hi Denise - This is a delicate situation. In a class like, HR or a sociology class, a discussion about religion would be easily a natural thing, but in a Math or Electronics class - how does the conversation start? I would steer a conversation to a discussion about workplace diversity that they will encounter once they move into their careers. This will make a conversation about the diversity in their classroom more natural. Susan
I am currently experiencing this situation in my classroom. It can make for a very uncomfortable environment when the students do not have an understanding of one another.
How do you add this into your course in a respectful manner in which they all understand?
This is very true. In our diverse society, respecting each other in the aspect of their beliefs,is a must. I find if there is misunderstanding, studying the religion can clear up many questions.
