The Complexities of Co-teaching an Inside-Out Course

• In Event: The International Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program

Abstract

This paper emphasizes the pedagogical challenges and opportunities within an Inside-Out course. We particularly draw from our experience developing and co-teaching the first Inside-Out class at both our university and the correctional facility. In this paper, we focus on a number of issues including balancing the tension between instructor versus student guided discussion, the challenges of writing intensive instruction as well as navigating gender dynamics in a co-facilitated course. By examining these complexities, we hope to contribute a greater understanding of the pedagogy of Inside-Out.

Authors

• Justin Smith, Central Michigan University

• Elizabeth Bradshaw, Central Michigan University