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

  • Understand how the characteristics of online communication affect discussion and classroom climate and account for these in discussion plans.
  • Take responsibility for creating an equitable and inclusive classroom climate conducive to high quality discussion by implementing strategies that engage all students.

Activities

  • Rank Order Partner Discussion: Characteristics of Online Learning
    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/interaction.
    • Learn how to structure online discussion.

    Activities

    • Defining Student Talk and Discussion
    • Structured Academic Controversy on Grading Discussion

    Module 3

    Structuring Discussion & Crafting Questions

    Learning Objectives

    • Take responsibility for creating an equitable and inclusive classroom climate conducive to high quality discussion by implementing strategies that engage all students.
    • Learn how to structure online discussion.

    Activities

    • Jigsaw Discussion: Students’ Experiences of Equity
    • Crafting Questions Activity

    Module 4

    Whole Class Facilitation

    Learning Objectives

    • Learn how to structure online discussion.
    • Effectively plan, implement, and reflect on discussion plans.

    Activities

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

    Module 5

    Planning & Assessing Discussion

    Learning Objectives

    • Learn how to structure online discussion.
    • Effectively plan, implement, and reflect on discussion plans.
      Understand the purposes of assessment in and for discussion.

    Activities

    • Snowball Discussion on Example Discussion Plan
    • Discussion Sandwich on Assessment
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    Module 6

    Critiquing Discussion Plans

    Learing Objectives

    • Learn how to structure online discussion
    • Effectively plan, implement, and reflect on discussion plans

    Activiites

    • Partner share on planning
    • Critique of discussion plans
    • Debrief & application

    Module 7

    Maintaining Community

    Learning Objectives

    • Take responsibility for creating an equitable and inclusive classroom climate conducive to high quality discussion by implementing strategies that engage all students
    • Learn how to structure online 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 more inclusive classroom communities to enhance learning

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    Improve student and instructor engagement and retention

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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

    TESTIMONIALS

    What our professional learners say

    Gil Nathanson

    Professor of Chemistry, UW-Madison

    “I am a chemistry professor who was just preparing to teach a 20 person graduate class when I participated in the Discussion Project. For the first time in my three decade career, I had the opportunity to discuss, debate, and revel in ideas presented by a wide swath of teachers across the university. I was startled by the originality and freshness of the suggestions, many of which can be translated to teaching science. I would gladly recommend the Discussion Project to all who are interested, even if you are an instructor in a large class.”

    Brandon Bloch

    Assistant Professor of History, UW-Madison

    “Thanks so much for sending along this explanation, and for your coaching throughout the instructional consultations. I found the Discussion Project to be such a productive and eye-opening experience, and I’ll definitely recommend it to my colleagues. I’m already finding ways to apply the methodologies we discussed to my teaching.”

    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