Shelby asked: "Should swearing, and other paternalistic ploys that aim to increase student learning, be employed in the classroom?"
Well, I am less torn. As I mentioned in class, permissibility denotes neither wisdom nor desirability. So while the use of profanity and vulgarity is permissible via the maturity and autonomy of students, it is neither wise nor desirable. These paternalistic ploys of which Shelby speaks are the wrong solutions to the right problems. If swearing is needed to force students to pay attention, the battle is already lost, there is already, lying beneath this, a deeper problem with the class. I agree with Emily that an occasional swear is not an issue, while using vulgarity as a substitute for quality teaching and content is problematic.
Question: Does the use of paternalistic, disrespectful ploys and tricks denote a lack of quality in the teacher, the content, the students, or some combination thereof?
You're right that if these ploys need to be used, there is a deeper problem with the class. But, you have to teach to the students you have, not those you wish you have, and I think these ploys can move towards solving the deeper problem. What else, instead of ploys, do you think will solve this problem?
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