Good morning! Alex, 21st Century Teaching and Learning Coordinator in Freeport, IL! I love me some good ol' productive conflict and am excited to chat about it with all y'all! #HackLearning
Morning, #hacklearning. I'm Brian. I teach middle-school students English in Colorado. Looking forward to exploring notion of productive conflict because it certainly sounds preferable to alternative conflict types. 😬
Good morning #HackLearning! Carla, secondary principal from Santo Domingo, Dom Rep. Such an
important topic! I'm sure you'll stretch my thinking this morning.
A1 Productive conflict is useful to our students & peers. Having the opportunity to defend a claim or idea while accepting advice & critique is essential for growth #HackLearning
A1- Productive conflict is an open exchange of conflicting or differing ideas in which parties feel equally heard, respected, and unafraid to voice dissenting opinions for the purpose of reaching a mutually comfortable resolution.
#hacklearning
A1 In classrooms productive conflict can look like students grappling with a difficult concept & working together to determine the best solution/explanation for a question or problem #HackLearning
A1 Among faculty productive conflict can feel like a personal attack, which then becomes a barrier. The best way to approach is to remember it is all about students & not to take things too personally #HackLearning
Our Productive Conflict and Conflict Resolution links are on this page https://t.co/3iUBbt8oGJ#hacklearning
Productive Conflict allows for a discussion of different opinions to come to a mutual resolution.
A1 PConflict would be debates and arguments that include lots of listening and connecting of arguments ... even if you end with the “agree to disagree” you heard each other and walk away feeling smarter as a result #HackLearning
A1: productive conflict could be a difference of viewpoints resulting in a decision that contributes to the resolution of the problem/situation. Has a positive outcome w/o hurt feelings #HackLearning
productive conflict ... being able to not agree but still be able to collaborate... cooperate ... work toward an improved solution with all parties being heard ... pretty much the exact opposite of the current US political environment. #hacklearning
A1: productive conflict occurs when two or more opposing viewpoints facilitate a discussion rich in content relevant information. It encourages students to elaborate and explain their thinking. #hacklearning
productive conflict ... being able to not agree but still be able to collaborate... cooperate ... work toward an improved solution with all parties being heard ... pretty much the exact opposite of the current US political environment. #hacklearning
A1 ➡️ Productive conflict is when individuals who have differing opinions, ideas, etc. are able to discuss those differences openly & amicably... & then are able to find common ground & develop a solution through that (at least I THINK that’s what it means 😬). #HackLearning
A1: When there are 2 groups w/ 2 opposing view points of where we should go with instruction, strategies, analyzing data, etc... but they can discuss their WHY's & create the best solution for our Ss. #hacklearning
A1) Productive conflict looks like a variety of stakeholders collaborating, sharing their different perspectives, challenging the status quo, working toward a common goal and respecting others' opinions and beliefs. #HackLearning
Productive conflicts is students engaged in scientific discourse where they are probing each other’s ideas, building and reshaping their ideas when the evidence presented provides new questions #HackLearning
A1: productive conflict is communication. However a key is making sure it is respectful to support all. We have to continue with communication. #hacklearning
Conflict is necessary for growth. It has a negative connotation, but it doesn't need to have that. But fear often stifles productivity in conflict! #HackLearning
A1: using the conflict as an opportunity to model restorative practices and also use the conflict to prevent future conflicting situations #hacklearning
A1 In order for conflict to be productive, we need to keep in mind that we have a common goal. and then treat all ideas with respect. Important to leave ego out of the equation ( a good moderator can help) #hacklearning
A1 I would think productive conflicts could either students or staff trying to come to a consensus about a solution for a given question/problem #HackLearning
A1 In classrooms productive conflict can look like students grappling with a difficult concept & working together to determine the best solution/explanation for a question or problem #HackLearning
A1: I would like to think productive conflict is agreeing to disagree, but being willing to work together to find a solution to the conflict. #hacklearning
Love the idea of modeling here. Anytime we can model for our Ss how we came to a solution helps them understand better ways to resolve conflict. #hacklearning
I think of it like “sharpening the saw” ... we need people to politely & professionally challenge us so that we can become better, so we can improve our craft, so that we can reflect on our progress. #HackLearning
A1. Productive Conflict-Allowing yourself to engage in a discussion where individual ideas don’t always line up. Might be uncomfortable but it is what pushes us to become better! #HackLearning
Productive conflict feels challenging only until it becomes part of the culture. We must separate the issues needing to be addressed from the people. It is not about me. It is about we. #hacklearning
A1: Productive conflict is what happens when we acknowledge no one has all the answers because there isn't just one "right" answer. In schools, productive conflict happens when all staff trust each other to use professional judgement and consider other viewpoints. #HackLearning
A2 Egos are one of the biggest barriers to productive conflict. Always remember that it's not about you
Helping students realize this is imperative to productive classroom discussion & debate.
When adults realize this meaningful change can begin
#RealTalk#HackLearning
Not taking it personally is the 🔑. The commonality of educators is that we love our kids & always want to make decisions that benefit THEM — even if it means that we must have some difficult conversations with others. #HackLearning
A1~
~ Ss working together solving problems, agreeing to disagree w/reasons for position, while supporting each other, valuing each viewpoint
~in #room44pride productive struggle is loud&proud 😊
#HackLearning
A1 productive conflict looks like positional power hung on the coat hook so that the hierarchy flattens around the table - all engage in transparent, respectful discussion where different viewpoints + knowledge/research are welcome #hacklearning
A1 Hypothetical productive dialogue:
"I think X."
"Well, I believe Y."
"Okay, let's try exploring these points of view together in order to make sense of our differences. That might even help us find potential solutions together."
#hacklearning
A1 productive conflict looks like positional power hung on the coat hook so that the hierarchy flattens around the table - all engage in transparent, respectful discussion where different viewpoints + knowledge/research are welcome #hacklearning
A1 Hypothetical productive dialogue:
"I think X."
"Well, I believe Y."
"Okay, let's try exploring these points of view together in order to make sense of our differences. That might even help us find potential solutions together."
#hacklearning
A2: Without Vision it is hard to know where to go, and hard to plan collaboratively, so the conflict is around people, not the work. I see Vision as the First Step in Leadership #hacklearninghttps://t.co/6cxbJSAKVF
A1. Productive Conflict-Allowing yourself to engage in a discussion where individual ideas don’t always line up. Might be uncomfortable but it is what pushes us to become better! #HackLearning
An example of productive conflict would be someone challenging your idea for the purpose of making it better. Finding holes and filling them - not poking holes. #HackLearning
I remind myself of this when I’m hesitant/terrified to stir the pot. Change is necessary — especially in our roles as teachers. Kids change, so the teaching must change. #HackLearning
A3: using #restorative questions or circles to help develop a clear understanding of the conflict. Also, develop norms of a potential meeting that will address the productive conflict #hacklearning#productiveconflict
A2: In schools, one barrier will always be time. How do you make time for everyone to not only be heard, but more importantly how do you make time for the discussion? #hacklearning
A2 a barrier might be that the facilitator isn’t managing the discussion and making sure everyone has a voice. I think with ss it is sometimes a challenge to get the to verbalize their thinking and expand on it. #hacklearning
A1 productive conflict looks like positional power hung on the coat hook so that the hierarchy flattens around the table - all engage in transparent, respectful discussion where different viewpoints + knowledge/research are welcome #hacklearning
A2) Might be lack of trust, previous negative experiences, not wanting to be engaged in conflict, not wanting to damage relationships. Having a restorative culture can help with these. #HackLearning
A2~
~lack of understanding, engaging in collaborative discussions
~people taking things personally & not being clear on goals, long & short term
~weak leaders
#HackLearning
A1: Productive conflict feels like an attack. One cannot help but to take it personally and become defensive. We have to always look beyond and focus on why we are teachers-to teach the students. To help the students feel like they belong and can be successful. #HackLearning
One of the fastest ways to stifle productive conflict (& innovation!) is to shut down different voices when they speak up. Sends a message that it's not okay to explore different ideas. #HackLearning
A1 Hypothetical productive dialogue:
"I think X."
"Well, I believe Y."
"Okay, let's try exploring these points of view together in order to make sense of our differences. That might even help us find potential solutions together."
#hacklearning
A2: I also think a toxic culture. If you do not have physiological safety in a school, Ts are NOT going to put themselves out there to be vulnerable and struggle. Culture is the foundation. #hacklearning
A2 Barriers could be the one with the loudest voice or the most popular person in the group gets listened to. A barrier could also be people not comfortable with conflict. #HackLearning
A2 For staff, the overarching barrier is forgetting that change and growth is ALWAYS about the kids. For Ss, it is not having role models on the staff that show daily what productive conflict looks and sounds like. #HackLearning
I applaud the ideal here, yet I expect that challenging feeling will often linger especially when involving cultures that have historically been in conflict. For productive conflict to become part of said cultures requires them *changing*. And change is hard! #hacklearning
Productive conflict feels challenging only until it becomes part of the culture. We must separate the issues needing to be addressed from the people. It is not about me. It is about we. #hacklearning
A2: Fear and our inability to be authentic are barriers. It is important that the culture be established to do this work through the building of relationships and trust. #hacklearning
Q2) Sometimes it’s fear that prevents us from digging into topics that might push others thinking. Don’t stay stuck and complacent! Push forward. #HackLearning
A1: Productive conflict feels like an attack. One cannot help but to take it personally and become defensive. We have to always look beyond and focus on why we are teachers-to teach the students. To help the students feel like they belong and can be successful. #HackLearning
Q1: Productive conflict is when your team has great ideas that go in different directions. Yet, you work as a team to discover the right route. #stillfriends#together#hacklearning
A2. THe biggest barrier to productive conflict is when we make it about ourselves instead of thinking about what is best for the learners in front of us. #HackLearning
which is why it is important to go outside of your group and hear different ideas ... twitter has helped diversify thoughts, but at the same time we still build our "tribes" with similar mindsets. #hacklearning
Deep cultural change is so challenging! How can we begin to restore a culture of trust in a place that has historically been in (unhealthy) conflict? #hacklearning
I applaud the ideal here, yet I expect that challenging feeling will often linger especially when involving cultures that have historically been in conflict. For productive conflict to become part of said cultures requires them *changing*. And change is hard! #hacklearning
Productive conflict feels challenging only until it becomes part of the culture. We must separate the issues needing to be addressed from the people. It is not about me. It is about we. #hacklearning
A2 lack of relationships in which we value each other, culture of talking “out of school” abt each other, lack of process to move from forming 2 storming 2 norming 2 performing”, competitive vs collaborative internal goals, no sense of collective efficacy purpose #HackLearning
Q2) Sometimes it’s fear that prevents us from digging into topics that might push others thinking. Don’t stay stuck and complacent! Push forward. #HackLearning
A2: There are many barriers to productive conflict: Lack of trust, fear of losing authority, egotism, unprofessional behaviour, skills/knowledge deficits. Pretty much all the negative behaviours described in @patricklencioni's books! #HackLearning
A2 For staff, the overarching barrier is forgetting that change and growth is ALWAYS about the kids. For Ss, it is not having role models on the staff that show daily what productive conflict looks and sounds like. #HackLearning
A2: Teams struggle to engage in productive conflict due to ego, pride, lack of respect, fear of speaking up or out - especially toward the more "dominant" in the conflict, lack of self esteem, fear of reprimand..... #hacklearning
A1: Productive conflict is when your team has great ideas that go in different directions. Yet, you work together as a unified unit to discover the right route. #stillfriends#together#hacklearning
When we step away from the conflict, we need to reflect on what we heard and how it will help us to get better as individuals and as educators. #HackLearning
A1: Productive conflict feels like an attack. One cannot help but to take it personally and become defensive. We have to always look beyond and focus on why we are teachers-to teach the students. To help the students feel like they belong and can be successful. #HackLearning
An example of productive conflict would be someone challenging your idea for the purpose of making it better. Finding holes and filling them - not poking holes. #HackLearning
A3 In my classroom I have used @PeerGrade to provide quick prompts that initiate anonymous conversations between students.
Student have to answer the prompt then comment on their peers. The object is to disagree respectfully. #HackLearning
Anger & Frustration ➡️ These emotions can be channeled in a positive way w/ the positive & open dialogue. But apathy is the barrier I most fear ➡️ For some, it’s easier to give in for lack of care. #HackLearning
A3: I appreciate the phrase, "I'm going to push back on that idea because..."
...indicates that it's about the idea, not the person, and doesn't dismiss it as "wrong", but pushes to (theoretically) find a middle ground. #hacklearning
So true! I think that person with the loud voice learned that trait over time in order to be sure their thinking is the one that “wins” out. #HackLearning
A2 Barriers could be the one with the loudest voice or the most popular person in the group gets listened to. A barrier could also be people not comfortable with conflict. #HackLearning
A3: just thinking through this for the first time. Perhaps some common and agreed upon language in framing the conflict would help. That could serve as a reminder about that nature of the challenge -- that it is creative and not personal. #HackLearning
A2: There is at times the feeling we need to hide or distort the bad news from parents, staff or students. The mindset is that no one needs to know #HackLearning
A2 Habits. In my experience, unproductive conflicts outnumber productive ones, which conditions many of the ways we navigate them. Implicit biases crystallize in this environment, needing new experiences, time, patience, reflection, coaching, feedback to undo/redo. #hacklearning
A3: Starting with norms is also super important. And ending a conversation well. Conflict can be draining. If you just walk away without a closing, it can lead to unresolved tension. #hacklearning
This is very true, especially when there is a culture of paying lip-service to change but then closing the door and going right back to the status quo. But when a team actually embraces the change: wowsers! #HackLearning
Yes - a great team can look for the 360 blind spots to “what if” an idea or initiative to success not for purpose of “yea but”ing it to fail - we need analytical thinkers to help chart paths around barriers to a positive headline rather than 2 a negative one #HackLearning
A3: I appreciate the phrase, "I'm going to push back on that idea because..."
...indicates that it's about the idea, not the person, and doesn't dismiss it as "wrong", but pushes to (theoretically) find a middle ground. #hacklearning
A3: I think Creating Win-Win Situations will support risk taking and allowing for productive conflict and in turn GROWTH #hacklearninghttps://t.co/WKM74xvIss
A3: Teaching Ss how to correctly debate topics in class. How to stick to research and stay focused on the topic/issue. Make sure they write their initial stance on the topic & then reflect on the debate & discuss where they stand after hearing all facts. #hacklearning
Deep cultural change is so challenging! How can we begin to restore a culture of trust in a place that has historically been in (unhealthy) conflict? #hacklearning
I applaud the ideal here, yet I expect that challenging feeling will often linger especially when involving cultures that have historically been in conflict. For productive conflict to become part of said cultures requires them *changing*. And change is hard! #hacklearning
Productive conflict feels challenging only until it becomes part of the culture. We must separate the issues needing to be addressed from the people. It is not about me. It is about we. #hacklearning
A3: I appreciate the phrase, "I'm going to push back on that idea because..."
...indicates that it's about the idea, not the person, and doesn't dismiss it as "wrong", but pushes to (theoretically) find a middle ground. #hacklearning
In @EdcampUSA leadership, we discussed “yes, and ...” instead of “but” ... promoted inclusion of ideas ... also, set a goal from the beginning , like @SaneeBell stated ... frame the conversation #HackLearning
In reply to
@hackmylearning, @EdcampUSA, @SaneeBell
A3) Our entire staff in engaged in monthly professional development on restorative practices working toward a restorative culture. It's making a difference. #HackLearning
A3: to promote and support productive conflict teams can brainstorm and then discuss, no dicissions will be made, find time need more than 10 minutes, help all to realize it is a safe place to share thoughts and ideas. #hacklearning
I've tried to avoid this by following and connecting with those I've disagreed with, but then I usually find we have more in common than initially thought: productive conflict in action! #HackLearning
The thing about #HackLearning that everyone is missing is that we are on the verge of runaway climate change and we need a complete re-think of the global economy to ensure a just society & avoid planetary catastrophe.
A3 Setting students up with some sentence stems and carefully discussing how to disagree with an idea and not the person would be helpful #HackLearning
Not at all. I think that's another situation entirely from what I was thinking.
I was focused on a situation where the school/teachers/students are struggling and looking for a positive change. 1/2 #hacklearning
A3 EVERYTHING comes down to Funds of Knowledge. Get to know the people you work with and your Ss. Build relationships and the big shifts happen. #HackLearning
A3. Have the goal or your “why” visible during the conversation. Refer back to it! We need to remember that we are all headed in the same direction. #HackLearning
A3~
~foundation of trust& a strong sense of community in our classrooms ~ Ss,Ts, Support staff all being on the same page as to valuing each other’s input, diversity , viewpoints, ways of communicating~anything is possible when a culture of trustrespect is present
#HackLearning
If we are truly committed to being our best and making the school experience the best learning and working environment for students and adults, we will commit to engage in this tough work. #HackLearning
A3: simple idea but modeling it everyday. When a student wants to argue about a test question, be totally open to it and try not to shut them down. Same for colleagues #hacklearning
Q2: The lack of trust is a huge barrier for productive learning. Trust is the essential for grown and learning both between teachers and students. #HackLearning
A3: Take the initiative to generate new ideas by identifying each other’s motives, goals and agendas. Collaborate to come up with every possible solution without evaluating them. Most importantly, be willing to compromise. #HackLearning
A3: Intentionally respecting that others may see/think/feel things differently than you do, and giving everyone an opportunity to share their voice. Then, deciding as a team how best to move forward. #hacklearning
A3: The Kepner Tregoe decision making model is great for gathering information, prioritizing and evaluating it. For times where emotions run high, this can help keep things level. #chocolatehelpstoo#hacklearning
If it's excelling and there's pushback, that's where a discussion is needed to explain WHY it's working and to hear what the actual concerns are. 2/2 #hacklearning
A3 Shared Leadership to set norms and adhere to them especially the “how we will work together” norms - disagreement is heathy and invited to the discussion - rudeness is not. Every organization and family needs norms that shape a culture of care #HackLearning
Consider using work place surveys to determine the different personalities that make up your team. Learning how each person works helps to tailor your approach. #HackLearning
Take the time to LISTEN👂 Listening is necessary for any productive conversation to take place. The person with whom you’re trying to engage in productive conflict is not going to listen to your ideas if you’re not willing to listen to theirs. #HackLearning
A3 Amending my last answer... we must use protocols with fidelity... The purpose must be clear and the conversation can't end until all are heard #hacklearning
Join #HackLearning chat Dec 16 at 8:30-9:00am EDT when Mary Howard @DrMaryHoward will be guest moderator leading chat on the "hacky" topic of Responsive Interventions.
A3b Unfortunately it’s harder to keep the adults focused on using the same strategies we would like our students to use. Showing respect for the person if you don’t agree with the idea #HackLearning
A3: start with building relationships, find opportunities to connect and agree. Find ways to empathize& let ppl share their voice & hear them. This opens the door to prod conflict. Read #thanksforthefeedback together #HackLearning
A3: I've found that one of the simplest ways to build a culture that embraces productive conflict is to start with the low-hanging fruit: pick something that is important but not urgent and work from there. #HackLearning
#HackLearning A3. It's an ongoing journey and the more one is engaged with the others in open communication , the less there is likelihood of a non productive conflict
Take the time to LISTEN👂 Listening is necessary for any productive conversation to take place. The person with whom you’re trying to engage in productive conflict is not going to listen to your ideas if you’re not willing to listen to theirs. #HackLearning
A3: Same way we teach students in debate that is is okay to disagree and have different opinions - it's okay to be different - it's okay to have different perspectives #HackLearning
