Managing Challenging Situations in the Classroom: Scenarios, Strategies and Methods
In today’s increasingly complex world, educators often find themselves navigating sensitive and controversial topics and situations which can lead to conflict or tense atmosphere in the classroom. These situations can be triggered by classroom dynamics or generated by the changing conditions in the external environment.
Whether it’s the reflection of the global or national events, or a sensitive theme in the reading list, a strained atmosphere between the students feeling out of control and reaching a peak point, or you as a tutor feeling uncomfortable for various reasons.
Thus, the intended objectives of this workshop are to
- Identify common difficult and conflict situations in the classroom.
- Examine the difference between a disruptive behaviour/pattern and a normal/healthy disagreement.
- Learn effective strategies for managing and resolving conflict and maintaining a positive learning and teaching environment.
- Practice conflict resolution and mediation techniques through role-play and case studies.
This workshop will have three parts: a methodological component, an interactive session and a reflective discussion.
Methodological Introduction
In the methodological session, participants will be given some time in an interactive environment when they can share their experiences with difficult situations they face (or anticipate facing) in the classroom. Then, the facilitators will identify different challenges that the educators face. In this way, the workshop will provide teachers with some practical tools and strategies for recognising and navigating difficult, sensitive, and conflict-prone situations in the classroom, improving their confidence and effectiveness in managing conflict and resolving it.
Interactive Session
In the interactive phase of the workshop, participants will break into small groups, and each group will receive a conflict scenario to role-play, focusing on applying the conflict resolution models and mediation techniques discussed earlier in a mock classroom setting.
Reflective Discussion
We will conclude with a reflective conclusion session, where we’ll analyse the simulation experience and discuss strategies for navigating difficult topics. This workshop is an invaluable opportunity to enhance your ability to facilitate meaningful and respectful discussions on challenging topics. It’s a chance to reflect on your teaching practices, share insights with colleagues, and walk away with a better understanding of how to navigate difficult classroom dynamics while maintaining your personal well-being.
Duration: 3 hours
This activity will be offered on-site (at EDLAB) on and you can sign up for a session below.
This activity may count towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) if relevant to your situation.
About the trainers
Birsen Erdogan is a lecturer of International Relations at Maastricht University. Her main interests are critical theories in International Relations, Critical Security Studies, Turkish and Middle Eastern politics, and discourse analysis.
Andrew Oringer is a lecturer who specializes in interdisciplinary teaching at UCM and FSE. Andrew previously worked in the fields of sustainability and natural resources management for several government and international agencies. At UM, he designed and currently teaches courses in the Interfaculty minor Sustainability and has taught experiential education in several countries in the field of climate change. His particular areas of interest are in alpine ecosystems, forest and rangeland ecology, and the nexus of human-nature interaction: the wildland-urban interface.
Accessibility
At EDLAB, we strive to make our activities as accessible as possible and do our best to make accommodations when possible. You will have the opportunity to indicate any accessibility requirements after registration.
Note about the costs
EDLAB is currently offering all CPD activities free of charge. Please note however that we have paid to develop and offer this session together with the trainers, so if you sign up but cannot attend, we would greatly appreciate it if you could give us at least 5 days’ notice so that we can advertise your spot to others who may be interested. Cancellation without at least 5 days’ notice or failure to show up may result in your department being charged the full cost price.
EDLAB reserves the right to postpone this event should a minimum of 6 participants not be reached.
Activity full or can’t make this date? Then sign up for the waiting list and we’ll let you know as soon as this event is scheduled again.