What Would You Do Differently If You Weren't Afraid?

Fear may seem like an odd topic for this blog, but it's a word I hear frequently from novice and veteran teachers. "I'm afraid if I let them work in groups it will get out of hand", "I'm afraid if I let the students do the experiment, they'll just play around, I think I'll just do a demo", "I fear I won't be able to get the class under control if I open it up to group discussion".

So, what would you do differently if you weren't afraid? Would you let them work in groups, do the experiment for themselves, open it up to class discussion? Would you be surprised at the outcome? Perhaps we should be more afraid of students who have too little practice collaborating in groups, are not facile with supplies and equipment, and are inhibited to speak up.

We set ourselves up for fear by visualizing disaster. Visualize success. Clearly picture that group work with students collaborating interdependently. See that experiment, each step completed as planned. Imagine a lively class discussion that validates students' ideas and generates new "teachable moments". Don't get me wrong, these things do not occur automatically, they take planning, work, and preparedness—it's hard work. But better to put our energies into such endeavors than in fear and holding back. More on this another time.

Stef