Saving Democracy with Civil Discourse

Presented by Tom Driscoll, CEO of EdTechTeacher, Instructor, Speaker, and Author; and Shawn W. McCusker, Educator, Author, Director of Professional Learning for Digital Promise, and Veteran

Sponsored by Solution Tree

Watch the Recording Listen to the Podcast

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

The ultimate goal of democracy is for people to resolve differences and make decisions peacefully. Teaching students to frame discussions in healthy ways has never been more important. This edWebinar helps you take on this challenge by looking at research-based strategies for classroom dialogues, discussions, and debates. The presenters explore questions such as:

• Is a debate—which asks students to confront classmates and change their beliefs in order to win—teaching the right civic skills and dispositions?
• What if the point is just to understand each other better?
• Is there value if classroom dialogues remove oppositional thinking?
• How do we learn to value our differences?

View this session to:

• Examine the differences between classroom dialogues, discussions, and debates and discuss the relationships and interactions they create
• Engage in a full dialogue model that focuses on understanding, finding nuance, and eliminating ambiguity
• Explore models and how to apply them to revise, rework, and rebuild challenging classroom discussions

This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers and school and district leaders.

About the Presenters

Tom Driscoll is CEO of EdTechTeacher and a nationally renowned speaker and author working with over 250 client schools and organizations. Tom specializes in digital learning, civic education, and school leadership.

Shawn McCusker has 25 years of experience as a middle school and high school teacher. He has taught in public, private, and alternative schools. In 2006, he was recognized as a finalist for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. He earned his B.A. in history from Northern Illinois University and an M.A. in educational leadership from Concordia University Chicago.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

Join the K-12 Social Studies and Civics: Educating Tomorrow’s Citizens community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

Since 1998, Solution Tree has worked to empower educators. We share your vision to transform education to ensure learning for all, and we can help you make this vision a reality. No other professional learning company provides our unique blend of research-based, results-driven services that improve learning outcomes for students.