Reply To: Forging connection and having constructive conversations

[Michael Pelaez]

Hi all,

Thank you for this topic.

This quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is very powerful.

I teach associate and bachelor’s level business courses and have had to navigate difficult situations with students and the start differences in perspectives between them.

In my courses, it is not uncommon for students’ perspectives to vary greatly. For example, I’ve had courses where ages have varied from 15 (dual-enrollment) to students in their 60’s, students born in the U.S. and students who recently immigrated with language barriers. You can imagine the challenge being compounded when students who have taken classes together before form “cliques”.

One technique I have used is to let students know that while there are no assigned seats, they will be temporarily reassigned for an introduction assignment, and upon completion, they can go back to their seats if they choose.

The introduction assignment is on the first day. Students interview each other (a classmate randomly selected), and then they introduce their classmates to the class. It becomes a fun first-day ice-breaker. I have found that many students who had the intention to stay with their “cliques” never end up moving back to their original seats and form new friendships. Group projects start taking on new forms, with a rich conversational culture.

I’m curious how situations like this are remedied by others. Looking forward to hearing about it.

Michael Pelaez