Successful Learning: Provide Students Opportunities to Be Comfortable with Discomfort

Two female high school students with short hair laugh together. One has a hand over her mouth indicating their laughter is mixed with embarrassment.

Education isn’t here to make you feel comfortable. A good education should, inherently, cause us discomfort. Part of the “enlightening experience” built into the definition of the word “education” itself is shining light into the darkness of our own ignorance. When has that ever felt good?

– Christina Torres



ACTIVITY

  • Provide students with opportunities to become more comfortable with discomfort.

  • Use the provided article/blog post about teaching To Kill a Mockingbird as an example.

EXAMPLES OF INCORPORATING LEARNING DISCOMFORT INTO THE CLASSROOM

From: 3 Ways to Find Comfort With Discomfort

Find the Funny

  • Lean into awkward content/situations
    • Bonus: “Awkward” is a very relatable term for students, especially middle and high schoolers
  • Allow and encourage students to laugh when they feel uncomfortable

Own the Squirm

  • Make your own discomfort known to your students

Go Alone

  • Practice dealing with discomfort

  • Teach and encourage your students to practice experiencing and dealing with discomfort


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