Description:

About the Workshop:
This workshop will provide educators with strategies for facilitating effective discussion in the social sciences. We will provide participants with the tools to develop generative questions, effectively respond to student contributions, and stimulate meaningful dialogue. Additionally, we will discuss how to assess participation and offer constructive feedback on student performance—participants will come away with a draft of “discussion guidelines” for their class alongside additional resources to support their teaching.

About the Facilitators:
John J. Brooks is a doctoral candidate in the Media, Technology, and Society program, working with the Center of Media Psychology and Social Influence (COM-PSI) under Dr. Nathan Walter. His research pertains to communication in the contexts of health and politics—specifically, the use of entertainment-education to promote prosocial outcomes, the persuasive power of narratives, and the influence of mass media representations on social issues. In addition to research, John is an enthusiastic educator: he received the School of Communication’s “Outstanding Graduate Instructor/Teaching Assistant Award” in 2020-2021. He also completed the Searle Center’s Teaching Certificate Program in Spring 2021 and now serves as a Graduate Teaching Mentor for current participants.

Jennifer Dibbern is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Linguistics at Northwestern University. Her research considers how social context influences language perception in bilinguals. Jennifer has familiarity with both teaching and learning a second language; she has studied Spanish and Korean and taught the former. As a doctoral student at Northwestern, she has worked as a teaching assistant for undergraduate courses in linguistics and supported English language learners through one-on-one English language tutoring.