News
Apply to Become a Collaborative Discussion Coach–Announcing IF’s Summer Training
Applications are still open for the Interactivity Foundation's online training for educators and practitioners interested in becoming Collaborative Discussion Coaches. The training offers a deep dive into the Collaborative Discussion Toolkit, a collection of...
Just Imagine…Truth Scores and Democracy
Text messaging has become a way for many organizations to notify their members of issues of importance. The use of automated “application to person” messaging campaigns can be highly effective. It has been widely used to get out the vote, to notify people of...
The Heart of Democratic Citizenship – a National Week of Conversation Event
What do you think is at the heart of being a democratic citizen? In a self-governing society, what could it mean to be a full participant, to be a democratic citizen? Please join us on Thursday, June 17, 2021, from 2 - 3:30 pm (ET) for an online small-group...
Collaborative Bonds
On the first day of class Professor Alan Nelson was going over the syllabus. “One of the unique things about this class is the discussion groups you will be in throughout the semester. I’ve carefully placed you in groups and you’ll be working together throughout...
Just Imagine… Technology and Positive Social Change
Born in the UK, Hera Hussain grew up in Pakistan. She returned to the UK and completed degrees in Psychology and Economics at the University of Glasgow. As a student, she became very interested in entrepreneurship. With a background in marketing and social media,...
Helping Groups Bond
Keith Burchett was the Director of the Summer Orientation program for freshmen. One special feature of the summer program was that he placed students together in groups of seven to experience all aspects of summer orientation together. Students really valued this...
Just Imagine…Striving for Equity (One)
Tom’s first sense of equity was spurred in elementary school. His school held an annual “march of dimes” in honor of President Franklin Roosevelt and to support polio research. Children would bring dimes to school. They would march around the hallway and then drop...
“Triple Play” Discussions in the Classroom
Consider the following imaginary scenario, in light of recent moves by a number of states to regulate what they perceive to be liberal bias in higher education. Dr. Oliver Madsen was appearing before his college’s General Education Curriculum Committee. The...
Jim Burke Shares his Experience Volunteering with IF
Jim Burke volunteered as a facilitator with the Interactivity Foundation during January-February 2021. I talked with Jim afterwards about what inspired him to volunteer, what it was like to facilitate IF discussions, and democracy in general. I asked Jim what...
Welcoming Communities Welcome Discussion and Transformation
This successful 6-week course of exploratory discussions with residents of Leisure World in Silver Springs, Maryland brought forth many different ideas about how our communities could be transformed to be more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable. Perhaps...
