Ahmad Explains Himself

ast attempt to create some shared knowledge

In his auto-confrontation, Ahmad explains his decision to sum up the discussion by himself: I stress that this is a summary that I suggest for the group, but meanwhile it is only mine. Because I am one among others…It’s possible to modify it. Indeed, Ahmad sees the moderator as a partner who contributes, who expresses his opinion: [the moderator] should refer to what others say, and should also contribute…I mean content not only the form, to give his ideas in the discussion. If he has a position, he should present it […] he should add and be a partner in the course of the discussion. This comment fully fits what Ahmad said in his interview on his professional commitment to influence: He should express his opinion as a model of reasoning (even if the opinion itself is controversial); Students have the obligation to propose alternatives and to compare themwith what is proposed. Ahmad Comment no link Interim summary: we have here two viewpoints, Turn 35 and Turn 36; is it possible to bridge between them or do they contradict each other? 40. Judith Comment support to 39; after a few moments adds opposition to 37 Even if the role of the teacher is to prepare the setting, he still exists and it is impossible without him 42. Judith Claim opposition to 38 They don’t contradict, they are not connected. 41. Ahmad Claim support to 40 From what we are saying it appears that the teacher continues to take the central and important role in modern education system despite all the criticism said and written. If it’s agreed, let’s move on to the o ther things regarding the teacher. 43. Ahmad Argument support to 40 Agreed. 44. Ahmad Comment support to 38 and neutral link to 42 We don’t say ‘contradict’ or ‘connected’, we say ‘two positions’ and whether it’s possible to integrate them in a composite sentence? 45. Judith Question opposition to 44 Why is it needed? 46. Ahmad Argument neutral link to 45 It is needed because we were instructed to reach a joint statement 47. Ahmad Argument neutral link to 46 My summary: we can’t give up the role of the teacher so that we should continue to take the teacher into consideration in any activity linked to learning and teaching in school. And in the same breath, it is impossible to neglect the student when we study the teacher so that both the teacher and the learner are not disconnected from their learning environment in school and in family 48. Ahmad Question neutral link to 47 Is this summary acceptable? Those who do not agree should offer an alternative proposal 49. Judith Argument support to 47 I agree was asked to serve as a moderator, behaves as a teacher. His message at Turn 48 in which he asks discussants whether they agree with him and if not, suggests to propose alternatives totally fits his pedagogical view as a teacher. On this message, Ahmad comments: I said that if somebody opposes, he should propose something else. He didn’t think that this would actually happen but felt that discussants should know that the possibility is open: At that point, I knew that I won’t get alternative positions because this was the end of the lesson […] But I wrote it because this was my duty.

At the end of his auto-confrontation, Ahmad reflected on his efforts to organize and to dissuade. Ahmad admits that he took on himself a role which is too complex: It is too complicated, I must see things at the beginning, at the end, I must look at what they refer, at what they didn’t, I must express my opinion. I should say that this was sometimes an impossible mission.