On Monday, I’ll begin teaching a 5-week summer course called “Facilitating Citizen Discussion,” a stand-alone course aimed at equipping students with the facilitation skills I acquired during the 2006 Summer Institute. Although I previously taught a blended course — a… Read More »
Monthly Archives: May 2010
The Vision That Helps Me Keep the Faith
IF discussions change those who participate in them. But some who do want to know what larger impact the discussions will have. I’ve asked myself the same question more times than I can count. The answer that keeps me going… Read More »
Managing Anger in Public Discussion
IF public discussions provide participants with opportunities to discuss contrasting policy possibilities in neutral, non-partisan settings. Because these possibilities are meant to be anticipatory of possible policy approaches that allow participants to “re-imagine” how society handles issues, our discussions are… Read More »
Posted in Perspectives Tagged attitude, challenges, citizen discussions, discussion process, facilitation, Public Discussions Leave a comment
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Federal mandate to enhance civic discourse?
The Democracy Imperative’s most recent newsletter has an interesting write-up detailing a
recent forum exploring how federal policies and programs might be expanded to enhance the
civic skills of American citizens.
Is the iPad and other technology killing our democracy?
President Obama recently suggested that it might be:
“With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how to work –
information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool… Read More »
Practical Tip: Which easel works best for facilitating discussions?
I bought my first IF easel about a year or so ago, and the plastic “bolt” that secures the extended
leg broke recently. That easel cost $100, and it only lasted a year– very disappointing. I found
another easel at… Read More »
The Long Arc of Conversation
In our lives most of us have had the pleasure of relationships that seem to involve a long and constantly growing conversation. Maybe it’s with a good friend. Maybe it’s with a family member or a mentor. It’s not that… Read More »
The Long Arc of Conversation
In our lives most of us have had the pleasure of relationships that seem to involve a long and constantly growing conversation. Maybe it’s with a good friend. Maybe it’s with a family member or a mentor. It’s not that… Read More »
At-Risk Students = Most At-Risk to Exploitation by the 21st C. Academy?
The most recent edition of Frontline offers an exceedingly disturbing look at the for-profit
college world. The people who are driving this world brazenly talk on the record about what
a wonderful world this is. Their greed… Read More »
Wrap up and final reflections
Hi folks,
Sorry I’m once again so late posting my blog. We’re only just finishing the term – final grades are due today. I’m happy (and a little surprised, frankly) to report that I am an IF convert! My loftiest… Read More »
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