What Can I Get Out of This? Teaching and Learning in a Classroom Full of Skeptics

What happens when students walk into your classroom asking "Can I get out of this?" Professor Carlo Rotella, author of "What Can I Get Out of This? Teaching and Learning in a Classroom Full of Skeptics," joins us to explore how student skepticism—about literature, interpretation, and even their own belonging—can become a productive starting point for learning. In this conversation, we tackle the tensions teachers face daily: wanting students to question everything while also needing them to engage, building authentic community in transactional educational systems, and reclaiming face-to-face discussion as essential human practice in an age of AI and instant information. Whether you teach third grade or college freshmen, you'll walk away with concrete strategies for lowering barriers to participation, transforming doubt into curiosity, and creating classrooms where every voice matters. Explore the book: https://carlorotella.com/ We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html