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

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Course overview

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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
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        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.

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        Build institutional reputation for teaching quality

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        Strengthen departmental profiles

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        Promote and increase job satisfaction for instructors

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        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.

        Schedule a consult today