Unboxing Social and Emotional Learning
We are a group of friends, educators, and scholars (but hopefully not the gate-keeping kind) who use podcasting to speak critically, honestly, and open-mindedly about the excitements and concerns we have about social and emotional learning (SEL). What happens when sociality and emotionality, two things that have always been a part of learning, become seen as measurable in a world of marketized and self-managed education? How can we bust SEL out of any boxed-in definitions, and how might we unpack its complexity? Join us in asking questions without easy answers and taking the time to peel back layers of education that are often left undisturbed.
Contact us at: unboxingselpodcast@gmail.com
Unboxing Social and Emotional Learning
SEL and Politics
Let’s talk politics! As SEL becomes increasingly situated in the midst of educational “culture wars” between the political left and right, we decided to devote an entire episode to discussing how this polarization has happened and what it means. Is SEL a “Trojan Horse for Critical Race Theory,” as some conservative groups argue? Is it an innocently “apolitical” phenomenon supported by an entirely objective research base? Tune in to follow our discussion about political non-negotiables, open-mindedness, and the tricky balance of making room for both.
Participants:
Melvin Chan, BSc, MA, York University
Jinan El Sabbagh, PhD, Oklahoma State University
Adishi Gupta, MA, University of British Columbia
Emma McMain, PhD, Washington State University
Tonje Molyneux, MEd, MA, University of British Columbia
Facilitators: Tonje Molyneux and Emma McMain
Editor: Adam Engelbrecht
References:
Buck, D. (2022, August 13). Conservatives are right to be skeptical of SEL. National Review. Retrieved from https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/08/conservatives-are-right-to-be-skeptical-of-sel/
Strambler, M. (2023, May 12). Open inquiry initiative: The intellectually honest case for social and emotional learning. Discourse Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.discoursemagazine.com/p/open-inquiry-initiative-the-intellectually-honest-case-for-social-and-emotional-learning