TASKs for democracy

Activity 41
Teaching difficult issues
DESCRIPTION
Original activity contributed by Richard Harris
Focus: this activity describes a sequence of learning activities for teachers to help them explore the problems
related to teaching difficult issues and to make judgments about the effectiveness of different approaches to
teaching topics like the Holocaust. The activity underlines the need to work with teachers’ experience, understanding
and knowledge, to help them to recognise what makes an issue difficult and to make judgments
about a range of teaching approaches and evaluate their effectiveness.
Target group: pre-/in-service teachers of adult learners
Expected learning outcomes:
A_DIV_2 Disposition to be empathetic to enhance living and acting together within society
A_EPIST_2 Recognition of formal, non-formal and informal learning in a lifelong perspective
A_EPIST_4 Readiness to question one’s own and others’ views, beliefs and theories
S_SELF_1 Capacity to face the challenge of doubt and uncertainty
K_EPIST_1 Understanding of the relativity of knowledge, that theories are social constructs that
remain incomplete and unfinished
Type of activity: Main activity
PROCEDURE
Introduction
Introduce the activity by explaining the different steps.
Step 1 (Identifying representations – pairs – 40 minutes)
1. Ask each participant to individually make a list of ideas about what makes a topic “difficult”.
2. Option: the facilitator can provide stimulus material that presents a one-sided and potentially controversial
view of a historical event/period (e.g. the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Crusades, colonisation) and
discuss whether teachers should use such sensitive material and in what context they might use it.
3. Have participants share their lists in pairs.
4. Ask each pair to give a summary of their ideas to the whole group.
5. Record all the ideas on a board or flip chart.
6. While allowing for questions and clarifications, the trainer should avoid a discussion on the issues in this
session. Give time to participants to express what they felt while doing this exercise.
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