ACUE’s Upcoming Webinar: Creating Safe Spaces for Constructive Classroom Conversations
In an era marked by polarization, educators are tasked with a pivotal challenge: facilitating classroom conversations where students can freely express diverse opinions, foster empathy, and enhance critical thinking.
On Thursday, October 17, Adam Smith will host a dynamic webinar in which three distinguished panelists will share their insights on fostering productive classroom conversations around challenging topics.
Adam Smith
Host, Nationally Recognized Higher Education Expert
Timothy Berry, EdD
Professor of Educational Leadership, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Teresa A. Nance, PhD
Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, Villanova University
Zack Ritter, PhD
Lecturer , UCLA and Cal State Dominguez Hills
Unlocking the Secrets to Civil Discourse in Classroom Conversations
Together, these leaders will break down the barriers to productive conversations in the classroom and provide you with practical tools to navigate tricky discussions with confidence and clarity. You will walk away from the session with key strategies that will not only transform how you manage classroom discussions, but will also empower your students to think critically and engage meaningfully.
By fostering an environment where questions are encouraged, using skilled moderation to turn heated debates into learning moments, teaching students to find credible sources, and addressing cognitive biases, you will be able to effectively guide your students through even the most challenging topics.
Why Dialogue Matters Now More Than Ever
As we approach the 2024 U.S. presidential election, campuses across the nation are becoming hotbeds of civic discourse. The stakes for maintaining constructive dialogue have never been higher. How faculty handle these classroom conversations will be a key sign of whether colleges and universities can weather the potential storm ahead.
Recent findings by the Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition, as highlighted by The Chronicle of Higher Education, emphasized that “civil-discourse training must be embedded into the curriculum.”
Empowering Faculty to Empower Students
Our Having Constructive Classroom Conversations in Challenging Times webinar is designed to help educators keep classrooms as spaces for meaningful, respectful conversations. This initiative builds on ACUE’s work to guide faculty through the intricacies of community building and constructive dialogue.
Previously, ACUE has explored the importance of supporting faculty in building community. In June, a blog written by Felice Nudelman outlined five guidelines and processes for making constructive conversations possible.
By participating in our webinar on October 17, you’ll gain firsthand insights from leading experts and acquire actionable strategies to apply in your classroom. Whether you’re seasoned in facilitating challenging discussions or are contemplating how to approach them, this webinar will equip you with the strategies you need.
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