Handling Classroom Conflict: Negotiating “Workable” Space http://tap.msu.edu/PDF/2007/teachingThoughts2007.pdf

1. Handling Classroom Conflict: Negotiating “Workable” Spacehttp://tap.msu.edu/PDF/2007/teachingThoughts2007.pdf Kevin M. Johnston MSU TA Programs kmj@msu.edu

2. “I think a little conflict is a good thing, particularly when everyone agrees with me.” - George M. Johnston (Managing Interpersonal Conflict. William A. Donohue & Robert Kolt.1992.) 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

3. Handling Conflict in a Variety of Settings • Why Does Conflict Occur? • When is the Best Time To Deal With It? (Do You Always Have a Choice?) • Are There Ways to Prevent Most Kinds of Conflict? 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

4. What Situations Result in Conflict?(Can You Always Predict When It’s Going To Happen?) • Mistrust • Unfair Treatment • Condescension • Confusion • “Power” Inequity Does It Matter Who’s At Fault? 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

5. “Syllabi are “Contracts!” Siobhan declares, and teachers and students should stick to the “program” laid out by the TA. “I include all assignments, materials, and testing schedules in my syllabus. I don’t think it’s my responsibility to have to include anything else. The students should be able to figure it out. What I say goes! It’s their fault if they don’t read it closely enough.” 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

6. The Decision To Confront (When) • Is There A Significant Problem Right Now? • Is the Issue Important to You Personally? To The Other Person? • What Needs (Issues) Are Threatened By The Problem? • How Will The Other Person Respond to Your Efforts To Solve It? 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

7. When Do We Risk Confrontation? • How Significant is the Issue? • Do You Want to Preserve or Strengthen the Relationship with The Other Person? • Is there Time? • Can You Avoid becoming Personally Aggressive? • Are Either Party Ready to LISTEN? 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

8. Timing is Crucial. When at all possible, avoid conflict until you and the other person are ready to deal with it properly. Conflict Management Flowchart. Donohue, 1992 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

9. Lisa is handing back her students' midterms at the beginning of class. The exam is worth 45% of their grade, and the class averaged 65, a grade in which Lisa and a lot of her students are disappointed. An irate student, standing up near the center of the class, begins shouting angrily at Lisa about her grade as she gets to passing out the last papers in her stack. 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

10. Handling a Confrontation • Is The Potential for Crisis under Control? - Can you avoid threats/personal challenges? • Can You Relieve The Crisis? - Avoid Getting Defensive? - Avoid the Conflict Spreading 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

11. Averting Crisis • Repeat Comments Objectively (If Possible) • Request The Other’s Solution • Review Options Once the conflict has become destructive, the situation is probably out of control and continued confrontation will likely result in more harm than good. 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

12. Handling Conflict • Can You “Reschedule?” • Begin by Setting the Stage for Productive Problem Solving? • Can You Separate Emotional and Relational Issues from The Data, Interest, and Value Issues? • Can You Create Multiple Options? 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

13. How Patient Are You? How Patient Should You Be Expected To Be? • What Personal Influences Affect Your Ability To Handle Conflict? • Can You Set Negotiating “Ground Rules?” 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

14. Is Power Balanced Between The Parties? • Does Each Party Have Equal Ability And Willingness to Impact Each Other’s Decisions? • Are Their Communication/Negotiating Skills Equal? • How “Safe” Is The Negotiating Environment? Always Work To Restore Power Imbalances – Donohue & Kolt 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

15. Kai gets back his essay. In large red letter across the top of the page, Distinguished Professor Mark D. Sade, has written “See Me After Class Immediately! In My Office!” 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

16. Deal With The Issues, Not The Person • Select a Third Party if Necessary • Create a space in Which Conflict Can Be resolved 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

17. Handle Conflict ONLY When You are Ready • Conflict can be terrifying, but it can also provide very effective contexts for learning 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

18. Conflict Can Be Avoided With Good Organization/Classroom Facilitation • Set A Supportive Tone Early • Share decision-making processes with students • Use syllabi as a means for setting classroom behavioral standards • Facilitate open communication 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict

19. Sources Conflict Resolution Website http://www.crinfo.org Donohue, William A., & Robert Kolt. (1992). Managing Interpersonal Conflict. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. Fisher, Roger, Ury, William, & Bruce Patton. (1991). Getting To Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. 2nd Edition. New York: Penguin Books. 2007 TA Seminar - Handling Conflict