When Breaking News Breaks Class Plans: Navigating Class Discussions When Diversity Topics Are in the News
摘要
This chapter explores how to effectively integrate breaking news related to diversity topics into classroom discussions, especially within leadership, management, and social justice courses. While current events are a common topic in education, breaking news—defined as recent, urgent information—presents unique challenges, particularly when it directly relates to course content. We introduce the “BREAKING NEWS” framework, which offers best practices for navigating emotionally charged topics in the classroom. This framework emphasizes establishing norms that support respectful, inclusive, and engaging discussions. By drawing from psychology, management, and education literature, the framework aims to help educators manage the impact of breaking news on class dynamics and learning outcomes. It highlights the need for preparedness to address the emotional and intellectual demands of such topics, ensuring discussions are constructive and aligned with educational goals. Overall, the chapter argues that with appropriate norms and strategies, breaking news can enhance, rather than disrupt, student learning.