When asked to spell out major hurdles they face as teachers, professors often bemoan the sea of passivity they must face each day. The promise of classroom controversy lies in its ability to arouse the passive learner, while contributing to important generic and developmental skills. Specifically, choosing curriculum materials and teaching behaviors that promote controversy facilitates critical thinking and the formation of reasonable commitments. Controversies serve as the rock that shatters the calm, impassive surface appearance of students accustomed to their roles as sponges.
〈Abstract〉
Controversy in the Classroom
Reluctance to encourage classroom controversy
Conclusion
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