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Digital Resources for Teachers: Teaching Empathy
- January 8, 2024
- Posted by: The Teachers Academy
- Category: All Blog Postings Educator Resources / News Online Courses
Digital Resources for Teaching Empathy
The Teacher’s Academy provides high quality digital resources for our teacher-clients, in every professional development course offered. Our teacher-writers conduct extensive research to create relevant professional development courses. During their research, they discover helpful education websites, high interest activities and lessons, tech support for teachers and students as well as countless other resources that might be helpful to teachers. As a result, we’ve decided to gather the resources from each of our courses and post them for everyone to use!
Here is a quick clip for our course: Teaching Empathy
Why wouldn’t we teach empathy?
Research tells us that our children are 40% less empathetic than the generation before, and 50% more narcissistic (Saperstein, 2015). Technology has made it easy for us to hide behind cruel behaviors, so, maybe that is to blame. Violent video games are commonplace; maybe they are to blame. Experts agree we could use a little less screen time; however, technology is harmless unless the person using it lacks empathy. This is not a technology problem, it’s an empathy problem.
There have been instances of cruelty throughout history. Human beings have been killing and torturing each other since the beginning of time. Think about the barbarisms that take place during wars between countries, abuses of power from controlling governments and the widespread gang violence that seems to have no end, no solution. Of course, there are many factors that go into these types of conflicts, not just a lack of empathy. However, having a strong sense of empathy may help people stop and consider options other than violence to solve an issue. Today, it is easier than ever for our students to detach from their peers, hide behind screens and not work out their problems in person, on the playground. As useful as technology is, it has attributed to the rise of bullying, cyber bullying, and violence against humanity. (Saperstein, 2015)
National violence has increased with multiple shootings in places of worship, night clubs, open air festivals, concerts and of course our schools. People lacking empathy do not have to resort to mass murder to inflict pain. Bullying and cyber bullying are weapons that can cause suffering in people. So much so that victims of bullying have turned to violence against themselves and others.
It seems every violent or cruel act is different in terms of weapons, beliefs and environmental pressures. The commonality is a lack of empathy from the perpetrators. In this modern day and highly advanced age, it is time we develop the tools we need to resolve conflict without the use of violence. I am not saying it will never be necessary, but I am saying we can do better.
Can Teachers Help?
Empathy is the solution to conflicts big and small. It is a skill that could be weakened or developed. Children learn to be empathetic from the people around them. We need to teach empathy to help decrease instances of selfishness that could lead to violence. Our students need to feel their hearts full of joy when they help another human being, and offer kindness to those still in need. Luckily, our schools are filled with kind, compassionate teachers who are curious about teaching empathy.
Digital Resources for Teaching Empathy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOYLCy5PVgM
Empathy is a Verb by Michele Borba
https://myframeworks.org/testmyeq/
Using Compassionate Curiosity to Drive Empathy
Babies Teaching Kindness in Class
Israeli and Palestinian kids find common ground at Maine summer camp
Seeds of Peace Campers Share Views
Don’t Suspend Students. Empathize
Talking Politics: Valuing Different Perspectives
Building Perspective Through Meaningful Discussion
Empathy in Action: How Teachers Prepare Future Citizens
You can find additional resources by visiting The Teacher’s Academy Pinterest Page.
The Teacher’s Academy is a small company of teachers, working for teachers. Our goal is to provide professional development courses and resources for teachers so they can quickly and easily earn the hours needed to maintain their education licenses. Many teachers across the country take our professional development courses to enjoy learning about effective teaching techniques, gathering ideas for engaging lessons and activities and gathering digital resources for the toolboxes. We would love to hear from you!