Guest Post by Professor Rick Gay, Professor of Educational Studies at Davidson College
Having students work with the D Teams was a positive experience for both students and instructor. Perhaps the most important benefit was that it encouraged students to consider positions on controversial issues in education other than my own. For example, I am against tuition vouchers for any reason; I am against for-profit charter school management organizations; and I favor college admissions officers considering demographic data. Even though I tell students that they don’t have to agree with me if they approach these disputes with logical support and argument, I realize that they are reluctant to challenge me in class.
As one student wrote in their reflection about their D Team experience: “The best and most important part of the DCI was the respect shown toward each person and our differing opinions. Practicing the ability to argue or deliberate about a topic without getting hostile, defensive, or personal is something I think is lost in today’s society and deserves more effort.” Another wrote about how much they valued the opportunity to meet new people and hear their perspectives on the issues discussed by their D Team: “Overall, my favorite part of the DCI meetings was being introduced to different people I would not have met without going to each meeting and hearing all their different stories and experiences.”
Students also appreciated the opportunity to learn different ways to engage with each other. As one student wrote, “My participation in this D Team not only provided me with new knowledge, but also with new ways of thinking and interacting with my peers. I consider my participation to have been a great success and hope that students across our campus can be exposed to these great DCI D Teams in the future.”
D Teams include not only Davidson students but also staff, faculty, alumni, and members of our broader community. They are led by the DCI’s student fellows who are trained in how to facilitate challenging conversations. If you’re curious about this experience and would like to try it out, registration is now open for our Fall D Teams (the deadline is Sept. 6). They meet three times every three weeks in October and November. This semester’s topics are campus protests, defensive democracy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Sign-up today and enjoy some robust and respectful discussions about some important and salient topics facing our society.
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