Will be able to explain the importance of intellectual safety in a classroom.
Will be able to identify methods of implementation of intellectual safety in a classroom.
Will be able to create a plan on how they will implement intellectual safety in a classroom
Tasks
Post your biggest takeaway from the lessons on the Unit Jamboard. Explain how it relates to your classroom goals.
Answer all Scenario-Based Questions in this Unit.
Develop a plan for implementing and maintaining intellectual safety in the classroom.
Lesson 1: What is Intellectual Safety?
The term intellectual safety was defined by a philosophy professor at the University of Hawai'i, Dr. Thomas Jackson. He had written;
"Certainly, classrooms must be physically safe places. For dialogue and inquiry to occur they must be emotionally and intellectually safe as well. In an intellectually safe place there are no putdowns and no comments intended to belittle, undermine, negate, devalue, or ridicule. Within this place, the group accepts virtually any question or comment, so long as it is respectful of the other members of the circle. What develops is a growing trust among the participants and with it the courage to present one’s own thoughts, however tentative initially, on complex and difficult issues (pg. 106[1]).
Makaiau (2016) listed examples of intellectual safety in the classroom as well as counter-examples of intellectual safety. These examples can be seen in the T-Chart shown below.
Lesson 2: Implementing Intellectual Safety in the Classroom
Much like many elements of a classroom, it is essential to implement and set expectations early in the school year. This baseline sets the precedent for the year, and allows for a efficient and positive learning environment[2]. Makaiau (2016) introduces intellectual safety to their students on the very first day of school by writing "All participants in our community, students and teachers, must feel free to ask any question or state any point of view as long as respect for all persons is honored.”[1] on the board.
Makaiau then transitions into a collaborative session in which the teacher and students all work together to brainstorm what they want their classroom to look and feel like through the year. [1] This is a common practice used in many classrooms, known as a "Class Contract". There are many approaches to this activity, you can choose to take the same route as Makaiau, or you can use pre-made classroom contracts, as shown in the video below. In the video, Trevor Muir explains the importance and benefits from a classroom contract, and goes through each point of his "Epic Classroom Contract" he created, and explains what each element of the contract means in a classroom setting.
Once you have checked your responses, you can move onto your plan development to complete this unit.
Plan Development
Now that you have completed the lessons, answered the scenario-based questions, and analyzed your responses, you will create a plan on how you will implement intellectual safety into your classroom.
Make it as detailed as you feel comfortable with, and feel free to customize the slides to what best fits you. This will work as your reference for when you are starting your first year of teaching.
