To think if you're a teacher, you challenge any conspiracy theory nonsense in class?

[Datgal]

I was wondering this recently. In aibu for traffic (debated chat).

However, I know a child who just copies what parent says about stuff. COVID doesn't exist, suncream is dangerous, and the latest one, Biden is a robot 🤣. Parents are flat earthers etc.

Anyway, in all seriousness I suppose this is how lunatics start off and you can't really blame them if they're being brought up with these views... I'd love to know that if you as a rational thinking teacher heard these, do you say anything? Or do you leave well alone...

I'm there to deliver the curriculum, so no I wouldn't bother challenging those views. I would steer the lesson back on topic. I think one needs to pick one's battles.

There are teachers that also believe some of those conspiracy theories. Why would you assume teachers are all aware of truth and fiction?

Yes but it's hard when "my mam says".
I actually had a parent say "she's OK she, hasn't got that type of skin " when I offered sun cream for a toddler and 7 year old a couple of weeks ago.

Yes of course. I suppose I hope there are more that don't.

ignoring is best rather than give over valuable lesson time to nonsense

don’t dignify it

I actually got asked to do a survey on this recently. looks around and puts on tin foil hat

It was all about how much if at all should schools and individual teachers be doing to combat conspiracy theories in the secondary schools years when it’s apparently the most dangerous time to get suckered in.

Yes. Absolutely true! I was just wondering. I'm not even saying teachers should.
I don't know if I could refrain. But then, that's probably why I'm not a teacher.
More kudos to you 🙌

Geez, something else that is the responsibility of teachers to sort out. Shove a broom up my arse and I'll sweep the floor too while I'm there.

‘Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but that’s not what this lesson is about, so let’s get back on track’.

Absolute minefield. I shut down all conversation that's unrelated to the work we're doing, but I defo wouldn't actively challenge anyone on any belief unless it was a specific PSHE/RSE lesson, and I'd have guidance from above on exactly what I was and wasn't allowed to say!

Oh chill out. I was only asking 🍹

I was just about to post something similar.

@Datgal so how would you approach the conspiracy theories about Jay Slater? Absolutely no-one knows the truth so how do you challenge something like this?

My message was to @OhmygodDont 😂

Anything potentially dangerous (Andrew tate/incel type talk) would be shut down if necessary, and referred to DSL. But I'm not getting involved in a spontaneous debate when I'm meant to be teaching simultaneous equations.

We have a PHSE topic on this - a few lessons of it in year 10.

Students know more than me about it.

In 20 years I've never had to challenge it. I unlike racism.

It's a theory after all.

I teach humanities and challenge racism everyday.

My friends brother is a primary school teacher and has taught both my kids. I confess I was worried about him teaching them because I know some of his personal views - very religious, anti-vax, brother is full flat earther. Thankfully he kept these views to himself, which I suppose shouldn't be a surprise. All the teachers I've experienced so far have been super professional.

Just realised my title is a bit misleading...as I don't think teachers are BU if you don't...I was just curious what you said.

This is why critical thinking needs to be taught in schools

Typo in my post should say unlike

Reported to MNHQ

I teach ethics /RS so quite often get into this territory. It's absolutely fine to engage up to a point but I don't allow it to derail a lesson, I prevent any and all mocking of the view expressed and ask the student to evaluate the quality of the evidence they are basing it on. I use it as a way to shoehorn in a warning of not accepting anything that starts with "I saw this thing on tiktok etc". I also tell them I'm happy to host a lunchtime discussion if they'd like to bring along a group of interested kids. It never happens.

I don’t believe in God. I think organised religion is misleading and causes terrible harm. As a teacher should I therefore challenge anyone who talks about the existence of God?

Can you see the problem here? Once you stray into arguing about beliefs, you open a whole can of worms.

I would always challenge racism, sexism etc because they are clearly morally wrong. But there’s no space to get into challenging every weird theory out there. And no time either.

Ah yes. That sounds an ideal way to deal with it. I suppose the answer if the time or type of lesson etc allows, is open up a discussion.
Not to just say 'you are wrong, pipe down' sort of thing. Thank you for your reply.

It certainly looked to be aimed that it was something that schools should be doing. Teaching how to search out what’s fake online vs real to filters the guff from the facts.

Big discussions on the basis of how could X of possibly happened and what effect being believing in it cold affect the populations actions and such.

Some of the topics where; Mmr / autism, 9/11 inside job or terrorism, covid vaccine for good or not, titanic did it really sink or was it another boat, aliens in Area 51, aliens at all. Andrew Tate and such type views where mentioned also as in, are we silencing him because his right and the whole illuminati stuff.

There was more but yeah it want to look into how say the titanic one doesn’t really cause much harm on a population level right now where as the MMR and Covid vaccine one does cause issues because people stop taking vaccinations.

Yes! Very true. Thanks for making me see it differently.
I was only half musing to myself (I wonder what the teacher says to him, if he says that in a classroom?) Sort of thing.
Thanks for all answers btw. Helping me see things from different perspectives.

What is the point an education if not to give children the tools to think critically?

If we've got a system that teaches pupils to add and spell whilst simultaneously thinking the royal family are lizards we're doomed.