In-person course to build discussion pedagogy skills
In-person course for designing and implementing equitable, inclusive, and engaging discussion in university classrooms.
Discussion pedagogy coursework delivered in-person
The Discussion Project provides highly interactive in-person professional learning for institutions, educational leaders, and instructors. Through expert instruction, the course provides research-based techniques to design and implement equitable, inclusive, and engaging classroom discussion.
In-depth learning
This interactive, learn-by-doing coursework is taught over three days. Daily work will last from 8:30am to 4:30pm local time at the institution’s preferred location. The course provides in-depth learning, focused entirely on designing, implementing, and facilitating high-quality classroom discussion.
Instruction and coursework
Taught by facilitators who specialize in discussion pedagogy, the course is experiential and provides strategies that are adaptable and implementable.
Covid safety
The Discussion Project will adhere to local guidelines in regards to masking and social distancing to create a safe learning environment for participants and our instructors.
Course enrollment and cost
University, college, or department: When a single university, college, or department hosts a training for its own staff, the cost is $1,000 per participant for the first 20 attendees and $800 for attendees 21-35.
Universities and colleges: When multiple institutions of higher education collaborate for large-scale professional development sessions, the cost is $1,000 / attendee. Sessions are typically hosted at a hotel or at a centralized geographic location.
Certification
The Discussion Project will provide a Certificate of Completion, which may be used for continuing education credit.
Ready to learn more?
Schedule a consult todayCourse overview
Module 1
Building 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: Characteristics of Learning Environments
- Course Overview & Learning Methods
- The Last Word Protocol on Qualitative Data Set: What type of environment do students need in order to thrive in classroom discussion?
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 Discussion
- Planning Workshop #1: Increasing Student Talk
- Structured Academic Controversy on Grading Discussion
- Planning Workshop #2: Creating Opportunities for Classroom Discussion
Module 3
Facilitating Whole Class Interactions & Discussions
Learning Objectives
- Learn different ways to structure and facilitate discussion.
- Implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills.
Activities
- Whole Class Discussion
- Facilitation Techniques Posters
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
- Jigsaw Discussion: Equity in Higher Education
- Crafting Questions Activity
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
- Planning Discussion: Guide to Designing a Discussion Plan
- Planning Workshop #3: Begin to Draft Discussion Plan
- Snowball Discussion: Plan Critique
- Assessment: Learning & Tools
- Walk & Talk on Assessment
- Planning Workshop #4: Draft Discussion Plan
- Practicing Discussion: Using Helpful Language
Module 6
Critiquing Discussion Plans
Learning Objectives
- Design, implement, and reflect on plans for discussion.
Activities
- Planning Workshop #5: Complete Discussion Plan
- Critical Friends Critique Process
- Principles of Discussion Flowchart Activity
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 for Classroom Discussion Activity
Seeking to improve your institution's reputation for excellence in academic performance? Foster high-quality discussions.
Create a more engaging higher educational experience
Discussion pedagogy designed to help institutional leaders and instructors create a more engaged classroom and improve academic performance.
Build institutional reputation for teaching quality
Strengthen departmental profiles
Promote and increase job satisfaction for instructors
Improve student and instructor engagement and retention
TESTIMONIALS
What our professional learners say
Kandyce Anderson Amie
PhD student and teaching assistant in curriculum and instruction, School of Education, UW-Madison
“The opening activities to promote immediate class engagement, rubrics for virtual learning, experiences engaging with different discussion techniques, rather than just reading about them – they were all extremely useful for my practice. Our discussions allowed us to collaborate with other teachers in various fields across UW to lesson plan and brainstorm great ways to structure our time and create inclusive learning environments.”
Praveen Maripelly
International Reach Ambassador, UW-Madison
“The Discussion Project workshop helped me and my teaching in various ways to build solid and authentic knowledge through different discussion methods. Discussion Project methods are practical to engage students actively in a given discussion topic. These methods provide a safer environment for students in the group.”
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.