Key points:

It’s tough to overstate just how important cooperation is in the classroom. History loves to celebrate the lone geniuses, but most of the world’s biggest achievements–from the moon landing, to medical breakthroughs, to blockbuster films–happened because many people set aside their differences and worked together. Unfortunately, we live in a highly polarized world, and our inability to engage with different perspectives threatens to cripple students’ collaborative abilities.

As an educator, I believe that for students to truly develop a healthy and flexible learning mindset, they must first learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. So, how do we navigate disagreement in a way that builds trust and works toward the success of our classrooms and schools?

Here are four strategies that I’ve found helpful when instructing students in the art of disagreement:

1. Foster a Scout Mindset: A Scout Mindset is a frame of mind where someone is interested in discovering the truth, regardless of their preconceptions. This contrasts with the all-too-common Soldier Mindset, where people are concerned with defending their ideas and achieving victory in an argument (even if they’re wrong!) Teachers can help students practice forming a Scout Mindset by asking them questions with correct answers, but where there’s widespread disagreement about what that answer might be. Allow them to explore the question together. As they do, remind them that intelligence means being willing to change your mind if you encounter good reasons to do so–and being able to share your good reasons with others.

2. The Zoom strategy: In this fun activity, teachers find a picture related to their content and zoom in so far that the class can only make out minor details. Students make guesses about what it could be while sharing their reasoning with their classmates. As more of the image is gradually revealed, encourage students to adapt their thinking; it’s a simple and low-stakes way to help them see the value of changing their minds!

3. Classroom debate: Use the art of debate to help students flex their thinking. Teachers can present an issue to their students and have them stake out a 1–10 position on how much they agree with it (with one being the least in agreement). This should be followed by a series of facts from both sides of the issue and an intermission where students have the option of moving based on how persuasive they find each piece of information. This activity is a great way to help students recognize the wisdom and maturity of changing positions when confronted with new data.

4. Beat the bot: Instead of having students debate each other, turn their energy toward a truly formidable opponent–a chatbot you create using a tool like School AI! Teachers can begin by instructing the AI to restate a previous argument in its strongest, most reasonable form. Students will be tasked with developing a more compelling answer than the one created by the bot. Once both sides have presented their case, have them flip perspectives, and try to argue the other side of the issue. This can help students learn to consider an argument from both sides.

If we want to set students up for success–both in the classroom and the world outside–then we must teach them to handle disagreement with curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. By fostering a classroom culture that values truth, encourages flexibility, and embraces diverse perspectives, we set them on the road towards a future where healthy collaboration is possible. So, let’s not shy away from disagreement, but instead make the effort to have tough conversations, and give the next generation the tools they need to thrive together.