Professional Development - Digital Promise

The Deeper Discussions Professional Development toolkit provides resources to guide educators through common challenges.

Professional Development Video Modules

Narrated by Dr. Abby Reisman, a leading expert on discussion in history education, the Deeper Discussions Teacher Professional Development (PD) video modules combine research-informed insights with real-world advice from teachers working in Title I public high schools across the country. You can watch the modules in order or jump in and out to view the ones that fit your current needs.

Social studies leaders can integrate specific modules into department professional learning communities (PLCs), PD days, or new teacher induction programs to anchor collaborative discussions.
University professors can likewise incorporate them into their pre-service teacher coursework.
If you are an independent history teacher tackling this on your own, we recommend pacing yourself: watch Modules 1 and 2 before the school year begins or before you implement historical discussions, and return to Module 3 once you have settled into the rhythm of facilitating discussions.

Dive into this chaptered video series to transform your discussion facilitation mindset and gain actionable, step-by-step guidance for teaching a discussion lesson from start to finish.

Module 1: Introduction to Deeper Discussions (20 minutes) shares what research says about the value of discussion, serves as an introduction to the Deeper Discussions lessons, and invites you to reflect on your own discussion facilitation mindset.

Module 2: Preparing and Teaching a Deeper Discussions Lesson supports you in implementing a Deeper Discussions lesson from start to finish. Its sub-modules cover everything from selecting a discussion structure, establishing norms and goals, using effective facilitation moves, supporting student reflection, and deciding whether and how to assign grades for the discussion.

2.1: Choosing the Discussion Structure That Best Fits Your Students and Goals (7 minutes; begins 20:08)
2.2: Preparing Students for Discussion by Setting Norms and Expectations (12 minutes; begins 26:55)
2.3: Practical Strategies for Facilitating Discussions (10 minutes; begins 38:57)
2.4: Helping Students Reflect on their Discussion Participation (4 minutes; begins 49:12)
2.5: Assessing Discussion (7 minutes; begins 52:43)

Module 3: Reflecting and Iterating on Discussion (12 minutes; begins 59:37) encourages a cycle of continuous improvement, providing a post-discussion reflection protocol that helps you look back at how your last discussion went, pinpoint what worked, and set actionable goals for your next discussion.

Additional Resources

Access these professional development tools and strengthen your discussion facilitation skills.

Professional Development Companion Slide Deck

Follow along with this companion slide deck to easily revisit core concepts, practical strategies, and reflection questions from the professional development video series.

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What is a Deeper Discussion? One Pager

Consult this quick-reference guide to confidently advocate for the value of discussion in your social studies classroom using education research.

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Post-Discussion Reflection Protocol

Make continuous growth a habit with this 10-minute protocol that helps you reflect on your latest discussion and purposefully plan for your next one.

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