As a survivor, I can tolerate case studies and experts coming to  
class to teach others about abuse and its consequences for living and  
learning. I CANNOT tolerate well-meaning people who have no concept  
of the terror that abuse brings.  I'm just running through in my mind  
the circumstances under which I would rise in class and say "You're  
an idiot, you don't know what you are talking about."  How many times  
have I ben tempted....

(I am a student again, auditing 3 classes.)

Andrea :)

On Dec 22, 2008, at 9:32 AM, Daphne Greenberg wrote:


> Holly,

> I totally agree with you. We need to be very careful about what we  

> intentionally bring up in the classroom. I don't think that adult  

> literacy teachers should purposely broach topics that can be  

> triggering-unless that is the purpose of the class (for example, a  

> class on family violence), or unless there is a strong connection  

> between the instructional services that are offered and counseling  

> services. Sometimes, however these topics come up in the adult  

> literacy classroom on their own, and that can make things difficult.

> I am very interested in the problem based learning activities you  

> describe below, and my guess is that others are as well. Can you  

> tell us more about them?

> Daphne

>

>>>> "Holly Dilatush" <holly at dilatush.com> 12/20/08 11:25 PM >>>

> First off, Daphne, ditto on the "thank you for broaching this topic."

>

> I've not considered this in the same way you have outlined.  Wow is  

> right...

> wow...

>

> Once a sense of community has been established, I think it *is*  

> something

> that would be important to bring up more in classes, in other social

> situations.  But there is huge risk (my opinion) -- of triggering  

> responses

> (as others have indicated -- of triggering reliving of trauma for  

> victims

> -- but also I think it might escalate the fear factor and the mistrust

> factor, and I'm never sure if that's a good thing.  Our world  

> increasingly

> thrusts examples of actions I'd like to believe aren't true in our  

> face (on

> TV, radio, internet, all forms of media, and 24/7.  Hope and trust  

> in fellow

> humans is sometimes challenging for me to find.  And yet without hope,

> without a sense of trust, I feel less of a person.

>

> The three times I've had knowledge (rather than 'just' suspicion)

> of incidents of violence/abuse involving learners in classes I was

> facilitating/teaching, all left me feeling inadequate to deal with the

> situation, dissatisfied with my actions, limited referrals.

>

> I believe strongly in intentional dialogues and the power they have  

> to spark

> positive change or action in people.  But I beleive equally that I  

> am not

> prepared to cope with all of the resulting trauma that may be  

> triggered.

> So, I question strongly whether it is 'correct' to intentionally  

> raise the

> red flags --

> Despite this, I more of than not *will* bring up such topics/issues/ 

> ethical

> dilemmas... most often in a "no answer is necessarily right or  

> wrong" PBL

> (problem-based learning) sort of activity -- frequently using case  

> studies

> and drama theory applications and guest speakers (from relevant

> service/survivor groups).

>

> A worthwhile topic and certainly one for reflection...

> holly

>

>

> -- 

> Holly (Dilatush)

> ESOL Coordinator/Facilitator/Instructor

> ABA Virtual Learning Center

> Charlottesville, VA USA

> holly at dilatush.com

> (434) 960.7177 cell phone

> (434) 295.9716 home phone

> [OK to call 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST / GMT -5 time]

>

> "Live with intention. Share inside~out smiles, inspire hope, seek  

> awe and

> nurture in nature."  (original by Holly)

>

> Plan to attend TESOL 2009!   http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/ 

> convention2009/

>

> My presentation: Exploring Intercultural Communication and Conflict

> Resolution Through Drama; Reflecting Online:

> 3/28/2009 at 12:30 PM in room 603 at the Colorado Convention Center.

>

> http://tales-around-the-world.blogspot.com

> http://abavirtual-learningcenter.org

> http://blogblossoms.edublogs.org

> *Twitter and Skype IDs = smilin7

>

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