“I learned useful discussion strategies that I can use for the entirety of my career.”
– TA, Wisconsin School of Business
“I wanted to … underline how much I enjoyed and benefited from the Discussion Project … I feel like it’s been a coming home of sorts – giving me permission to teach responsively and effectively by purposefully designing classes to support student-centered discussion.”
– Gail P., Department of Curriculum & Instruction
The Discussion Project Virtual (online): APPLY HERE
The Discussion Project Virtual is not currently part of a research study.
Dates for fall 2022
2022.09A: Tuesdays, 9am-11am: 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25
2022.09B: Fridays, 10am-12pm: 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/ 28
Who should apply to the Discussion Project Virtual online course?
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We accept applications from any university instructor (faculty, academic staff, TA).
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The course is most applicable to those teaching online classes with fewer than 40 students.
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In order to be eligible, applicants must be available to attend all sessions.
Overview
- Participants will meet online in seven 2-hour synchronous sessions on Zoom. Each session is preceded by one hour of asynchronous preparatory work in Canvas.
- The Discussion Project Virtual is an online course for designing and implementing equitable, inclusive, and engaging online (rather than in-person) discussion. The course focuses entirely on synchronous video conference discussion (online discussion via Zoom or another video conference platform) thus many skills are applicable to the in-person classroom.
Please see below for the learning objectives and topics that will be covered during the Discussion Project program.
If you are not affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and would like to take the Discussion Project course, please visit this website where individuals and institutions may register for a course series.
The Discussion Project Virtual online course will help university instructors…
- understand how the characteristics of online communication affect discussion and classroom climate and account for these in their discussion plans
- take responsibility for creating an equitable and inclusive classroom climate conducive to high quality discussion by implementing strategies that engage all students
- distinguish between discussion and other forms of student talk/interaction
- learn how to structure online discussion
- effectively plan, implement, and reflect on discussion plans
- understand the purposes of assessment in and for discussion
- implement strategies that develop students’ discussion skills
Modules of Instruction
- Building Online Community
- Defining Discussion
- Structuring Discussion & Crafting Questions
- Whole Class Facilitation
- Discussion Plans & Assessment
- Planning a Discussion
- Maintaining Community