Teaching in the Wake of a Tragedy

thumbnail: 

60X60_CRLTNewLogoSquare (1)_0_2.jpg [1]

Our thoughts and best wishes go out to everyone affected by the tragic events at the Boston Marathon. We are aware that particular teaching challenges can arise in the wake of such shared trauma, and our website includes resources that were developed by CRLT to support instructors facing such challenges. You can click here [2] to find a range of guidelines for discussing difficult topics with students. Especially relevant items include the guidelines [3]for teaching in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedies. Key suggestions on that page for productively discussing such events include:

• Consider supportive ways to open and close such a discussion
• Create a framework for the discussion, using specific questions to guide student contributions
• Allow everyone a chance to talk, but don't force students to participate
• Where possible, explore links to the content of your course or discipline

Other helpful resources in the wake of the Boston events include this article [4] on student perceptions of more and less helpful faculty responses to public violence and tragedy. The authors, Therese A. Huston and Michele DiPietro, discuss their findings that even a simple, brief recognition of the occurrence--and an acknowledgment that students may be experiencing distress--can make a big difference. Students appreciate their teachers' acknowledging public tragedies, even in courses where the material does not seem relevant to the events. 

As always, CRLT consultants are also available to consult with individual instructors [5] about effective ways to respond to such events. In the face of such shocking violence, we at CRLT feel fortunate to witness the tremendous good accomplished by U-M teachers every day.