Online course to improve discussion pedagogy

The Discussion Project’s online course teaches strategies for designing, implementing, and facilitating synchronous online classroom discussion.

Effective discussion pedagogy delivered online

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Course overview

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Module 1

Building Online Community

Learning Objectives

  • Create an equitable and inclusive classroom climate conducive to high quality discussion.
  • Learn different ways to structure and facilitate discussion.
  • Implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills.

Activities

  • Rank Order Partner Discussion
  • Course Overview & Learning Methods
  • The Last Word Protocol

    Module 2

    Defining Discussion

    Learning Objectives

    • Distinguish between discussion and other forms of student talk.
    • Learn different ways to structure and facilitate discussion.
    • Implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills.

    Activities

    • Defining Student Talk and Discussion
    • Structured Academic Controversy

    Module 3

    Facilitating Whole Class Interactions

    Learning Objectives

    • Learn different ways to structure and facilitate discussion.
    • Implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills.

    Activities

    • Reasons for / Challenges of Whole Class Interactions
    • Whole Class Discussion
    • Ping Pong Share: Facilitation Techniques

    Module 4

    Structuring Discussion & Crafting Questions

    Learning Objectives

    • Learn different ways to structure and facilitate discussion.
    • Learn to craft questions that foster discussion.
    • Implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills.

    Activities

    • Feedback Fishbowls
    • Crafting Questions
    • Practicing Small Group Discussion

    Module 5

    Planning & Assessing Discussion

    Learning Objectives

    • Design, implement, and reflect on plans for discussion.
    • Implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills.
    • Understand the purposes and methods of assessment for improving discussion skills.

    Activities

    • Designing Discussion Plans
    • Snowball Discussion
    • Review Assessment Tools
    • Discussion Sandwich on Assessment
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    Module 6

    Critiquing Discussion Plans

    Learning Objectives

    • Design, implement, and reflect on plans for discussion.

    Activities

    • Partner Share on Planning
    • Critique of Discussion Plans
    • Debrief & Application

    Module 7

    Maintaining Community

    Learning Objectives

    • Create an equitable and inclusive classroom climate conducive to high quality discussion.
    • Learn different ways to structure and facilitate discussion.

    Activities

    • Equity & Inclusion Case Study Discussions
    • Recipe Discussion

    Research-based, interactive training led by K12 expert educators.

    Specialized discussion pedagogy for teachers in grades 6-12

    Taught interactively by expert educators, The Discussion Project teaches research-based and classroom-proven strategies to improve discussions and help students better learn course content and communication skills.

    N

    Provide educators with confidence and support to foster and manage classroom discussion in a charged educational environment

    N

    Create an equitable and inclusive classroom climate conducive to high quality discussion

    N

    Learn different ways to structure and facilitate discussion

    N

    Distinguish between discussion and other forms of student talk

    N

    Learn to craft questions that foster discussion

    N

    Implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills

    Specialized discussion pedagogy for teachers in grades 6-12

    Taught interactively by expert educators, The Discussion Project teaches research-based and classroom-proven strategies to improve discussions and help students better learn course content and communication skills.

    N

    Provide educators with confidence and support to foster and manage classroom discussion in a charged educational environment

    N

    Create an equitable and inclusive classroom climate conducive to high quality discussion

    N

    Learn different ways to structure and facilitate discussion

    N

    Distinguish between discussion and other forms of student talk

    N

    Learn to craft questions that foster discussion

    N

    Implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills

    Research-based, interactive training led by K12 expert educators.

    TESTIMONIALS

    What our professional learners say

    Walter Stentz

    English Teacher, Waunakee High School

    I would highly recommend the course as both intelligent, engaging, and inspiring. Specifically, I would recommend the course to someone who did not think assessing discussion was valuable or meaningful. I think it has become clear that there are real skills here that students need to learn and need feedback on.

    Carla Cariño

    Teacher, Denver Public Schools

    The Discussion Project helped me evolve my use of classroom discussion strategies in ways that are more equitable and engaging for students. The training also modeled a variety of uses for discussion ranging from quick check ins to longer, more in depth discussion practices. The benefits of discussion in high school classrooms lead to benefits of other skills like reading, writing, presenting, contributions to the classroom community and more. Thank you for leading this important work for high school teachers.

    Ready to have a discussion?

    Submit your information for a personalized course walk-through with The Discussion Project team to better understand how it can support the growth of your instructors, departments, and institution.

    Schedule a consult today