Photo on I-sight
I must say it is a rewardable experience to learn the conflicts and solutions in a systematic but concise way.
Among all types of conflicts that taking places, what concerns me more is relationship conflict. Such a conflict seems difficult to address, as it is caused by innate attribute or personality. While grouping students with commonalities together seems to be a remedy, it doesn’t work in small combos with only 2-3 students. And such types of small classes are very popular in customized courses in my school: fewer learners in a course offers students better learning efficacy.
In such a case, to avoid relationship conflict, I sometimes need to give special treatment to the more introverted students, who are less likely to express their frustration, for example by asking more feedbacks from them to find out how they think. In many cases, they may have a sense of inferiority when their peers show a proficiency in certain realm. My solution to cope with the feeling usually is to sharing personal learning stories featuring commonality with them.
Apart from that, I also act as an interpreter of these introverted students over discussion, help them to express what they think in a more logical way, and ask them if I am on the same track with them? By doing so, in case where relationship conflict cannot be avoid, I hope such approaches can alleviate the communication impediments. As mentioned by Shonk, 2020, teacher acting as a mediator can be of great help in dealing with this tricky conditions.
Reference
Shonk, K. (2020, October 1). 3 Types of Conflict and How to
Address Them. Program on Negotiation: Harvard Law School.
https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/conflict-resolution/typesconflict/
I agree that conflicts between individuals is tricky, as each individual comes from their own perspectives and experiences. I also agree that we need to ensure consideration to support quiet, introverted, and vulnerable students. Perhaps that can be a part of the instruction? As facilitators, we can provide support but also some of the skills to help students manage their own conflicts.