Yes: Ava Stuzin
Living in a world driven by technology, it is more crucial than ever that students pay attention to the news, as well as all current events.
Combining real-world events with classroom discussions helps further one’s lesson plan and ensures students are informed about the world. While some students may think they are informed of the news and current events through various social media platforms, it is important to have classroom discussions to distinguish facts from bias.
In-classroom discussions can stimulate a healthy debate and allow for different opinions regarding a subject, to further one’s understanding and views regarding a complex topic, that they may have not been previously exposed to.
According to the American Psychological Association, less than 20% of U.S. teens report reading a book, magazine or newspaper daily for pleasure. This low rate highlights the critical need to advance one’s learning of news and current events within the classroom, as many do not have the self-will to do it on their own.
Within this year, I have engaged in many classroom discussions and debates regarding current events in many of my classes. To me, this has benefitted and furthered my interest in the subject by allowing me to broaden my perspective and further my own understanding of what is being discussed.
While trying to build the bridge between real-world events and classroom learning is meant to be an informative way of teaching, this can also lead to bias and distraction from class content. Talking about current events should be done in a way that promotes informative lesson plans without unnecessary bias, and should be a healthy discussion.
If current events relate to a topic being taught in the classroom, discussing them is critical to the content of the class and helps to further students’ understanding of the content in a real-world setting.
No: Sophia Snyder
In today’s world, where news is constantly evolving and often controversial, many students’ main source of information comes from inside the classroom. While staying informed is crucial, discussing contemporary political or social issues in an academic setting can present challenges. Classrooms are places of learning and academic growth, but current events often introduce biases and distractions which can hinder that purpose.
Certain political topics are just not appropriate for the classroom, due to the possibility of bias from both students and teachers. Even with the best intentions, educators may unintentionally present topics with personal or political leanings, influencing students rather than allowing them to form independent opinions. Introducing certain topics can be controversial, and make it difficult for schools to remain a neutral learning environment.
Many current events, particularly those related to politics, social justice or global conflicts, are deeply emotional topics. Students may feel personally affected or uncomfortable discussing issues that involve their identities or beliefs. Classrooms should be safe spaces where students focus on academics, without the added pressure of debating sensitive subjects that could lead to conflict among peers.
Sometimes, with the fast-paced nature of the news and constant changes, not all sources are reliable. Students may not have the media literacy skills to distinguish between facts, opinions and misinformation. Discussing current events without a thorough understanding of historical and cultural context can lead to misunderstandings rather than productive discussions.
In a diverse classroom, students come from different backgrounds, cultures and political beliefs. Discussing controversial events could create divisions rather than unity. Instead of creating a supportive learning environment, it may lead to arguments, alienation or discomfort among students who feel pressured to conform to certain perspectives.
While current events are valuable to understanding the world, they should not dominate classroom discussions. By keeping the classroom space for education rather than political or social debate, students can focus on academic success without unnecessary tensions or bias.
