'You don't get taught that' – How ‘safe’ classrooms can hinder learning.
Williams, Helen and Quaid, Sheila (2023) 'You don't get taught that' – How ‘safe’ classrooms can hinder learning. Teaching in Higher Education. ISSN 1470-1294
Item Type: | Article |
---|
Abstract
It is often asserted that to facilitate student engagement, encourage participation and create optimal learning environments, the classroom should be a safe space. In this paper we explore the idea that ‘safety’ is at odds with the very nature of academic enquiry. Using data from a qualitative study with staff at a UK University, we illustrate how the expectation of safety is troublesome and works to inhibit learning, particularly in the social sciences which explore difficult and sensitive subject matter. The responsibility for creation and maintenance of safe classrooms is often presumed to lie with teaching staff, and the impact of this is under researched. We consider alternative constructions of the classroom space and ways forward which can potentially support tutors with the challenges of teaching difficult topics. We ultimately advocate for approaches that position students as partners and the creation of learning spaces where differences can co-exist.
|
PDF
Safe Space Accepted.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (291kB) | Preview |
More Information
Uncontrolled Keywords: Safe space, brave, space learning, teaching, discomfort |
Related URLs: |
Depositing User: Helen Williams |
Identifiers
Item ID: 15886 |
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2023.2201675 |
ISSN: 1470-1294 |
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/15886 |
Official URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/135625... |
Users with ORCIDS
Catalogue record
Date Deposited: 27 Apr 2023 13:16 |
Last Modified: 01 Oct 2024 02:38 |
Contributors
Author: | Helen Williams |
Author: | Sheila Quaid |
University Divisions
Faculty of Education and Society > School of Social SciencesSubjects
Education > Higher EducationSocial Sciences > Sociology
Education
Social Sciences
Actions (login required)
View Item (Repository Staff Only) |