Tackling tough topics with Lyfta

Lyfta's storyworlds make that learning experience even more powerful through the immersive nature of the real human stories that feature in them. Indeed research from the University of Tampere in Finland using Lyfta has found that the multi-sensory and participatory nature of the storyworlds gives students the opportunity to identify common interests and, as a result, develop more positive feelings towards the people that feature in them.

Through exploring Lyfta's storyworlds, students are able to learn about themselves and their own worlds by exploring the experiences and lives of others. As part of this process, they see many other lived experiences in a highly engaging way, which develops empathy and compassion.

A crucial part of developing empathy and understanding involves facing some tough topics. Some of your students may have experienced these topics themselves: racism, bereavement and bullying, for example. At least one of these issues will likely have affected some students in every class you teach. It's only in exploring these tough topics can we help students to challenge damaging behaviours and attitudes and to cope with obstacles and upsetting incidents. We do this not only for the students who experience them directly but we do it so that those who haven't, can develop empathy and support their peers too.

Once you have decided to use a particular storyworld or piece of content and have identified any students who it may affect, it is advisable to have an open and honest conversation with your class. After all, you may have identified particular students who might be affected by a particular topic but you can never be totally confident that someone you hadn't thought would be upset, takes something to heart.

Generating a class charter with your students for exploring content on Lyfta is a great way to have this open dialogue with your class. That's because learning to watch documentary films in a respectful manner is important, whether that film deals with sensitive topics or not. Consider asking your students how they think they should watch the film. Highlight for them that the people in the films are real people and those who have made the film have taken time and effort to do so. Explain that sometimes when we watch the content, there may be aspects that some people find upsetting. Give all students permission to verbalise their feelings in a respectful manner, modelling for them how this might be done and ask students how they might support anyone who feels upset. Something as simple as allowing a student a couple of minutes outside, if you know that something might trigger them, can be effective in giving students that bit of space they need.

Experiencing a diverse range of human stories is a powerful tool for all of us to understand others and ourselves better. In the case of tough topics like racism, bereavement and bullying, the hope is that many students will not have direct experience of these issues. All the more reason to tackle these topics in the classroom and open up useful, respectful discussion to better understand ourselves and be empathetic to the needs of others who have.

Lyfta subscribers have access to CPD materials that can support them in facilitating challenging conversations about race. To find out more about this course and other CPD opportunities, please visit lyfta.com/CPD.