The Discussion Project, a new professional development opportunity beginning this fall at UW-Madison, addresses that goal. It is intended to help UW faculty and academic staff members both facilitate high-quality classroom discussions and prepare their students to participate in them, says McAvoy, the project’s director and primary instructor.
Drawing upon the most recent research, the six sessions will cover, among other things, how to get students talking, how to set the right climate for an inclusive discussion, and how to negotiate common challenges and ethical issues that might arise.