批判的かつ倫理的な思考 - 難しいことについて話そう (10 ～ 12 歳)

This class teaches critical thinking and ethical thinking skills. It also encourages and teaches mature and respectful conversation with people who may disagree or hold differing opinions. Classes are limited to 4 students, so each one has plenty of opportunity to contribute their ideas and explanations.

Each week we will discuss a new topic (see list below). As class instructor I will use short story scenarios as prompts to pose various questions, and ask the students to share their thoughts. I do not offer any answers or my own opinions - it is up to the students to consider the topic and formulate their own critical appraisal. My role is to guide them to thinking about things from different viewpoints, and to discuss it with one another in a respectful manner. 

This is an ongoing class: Every week the material is new and different. Students can stay enrolled for as long as they like. Students do not require any previous knowledge for this class.

Students are required to have their video on at the start of each class for identification as per Outschool rules. Students are encouraged to participate in the full class with video on, but may turn it off if they wish.

Upcoming topics, with sample questions (we cover many more during the class):

Week of Tue 14-Mon 20 January: Peer Pressure
	• What is peer pressure?
	• Why do people do silly things when other people urge them to?
	• What makes it hard to say “no” to peer pressure?
	• Is it wrong to give in to peer pressure?
	• What are some good ways to stand up for yourself if you feel pressured?
	• Can peer pressure ever be a good thing?

Week of Tue 21-Mon 27 January: Bio-engineering
	• Why might we want to change features of animals or plants?
	• Should we use bio-engineering methods to make crops grow better or resists pests?
	• What could happen if bio-engineeering accidentally made something dangerous?
	• If we could make humans stronger or smarter, should we do that?
	• Should we let people use bio-engineeering to design their children, like eye and hair colour?
	• Who should decide what sorts of bio-engineering are allowed and what should not be?

Week of Tue 28 January-Mon 3 February: Opinions versus Facts
	• What’s the difference between a fact and an opinion?
	• How can you tell if someone is sharing a fact, or just their own opinion?
	• Why do some websites try to trick people?
	• When is it okay for someone to post their opinions, and when is it not okay?
	• How can you recognise when someone’s opinion might hurt people, or exclude people?
	• What are some questions you should ask yourself before believing something you see online, or sharing it with other people?

Week of Tue 4-Mon 10 February: Prizes and Awards
	• Does giving awards motivate people to do better?
	• What makes a competition or award fair?
	• Do prizes sometimes get given to the “wrong” person?
	• How should someone decide who the award winner should be?
	• Would it be better to give a prize to everyone, rather than just one winner?
	• What kinds of achievements should there be awards for?

Week of Tue 11-17 February: Fantasy Logic
	• Why do many fantasy stories have rules for magic or powers, like needing a wand in Harry Potter?
	• What would happen if dragons existed in real life?
	• Why do witches and wizards in stories often have to hide their powers from regular people?
	• If someone uses a magical power to cheat in a contest or exam, is it different from cheating in a normal way?
	• Why do powerful magical swords or rings often have a curse or downside in fantasy stories?
	• How does thinking about fantasy worlds help us think about real-world problems in new ways?

Future weeks will be a new topic every week (updated here regularly).