A COLLABORATIVE INSTITUTE
FOR FACULTY, STAFF, & LEADERSHIP
SUMMER 2024
INSTITUTE GOALS
- Take a deep-dive into the research-backed methods of thinkARGUMENTS: Argument Mapping and Systematic Empathy
- Learn how other institutions are building Mapping and Empathy skills across class years, institution-wide programs, courses, and disciplines at scale through the thinkARGUMENTS platform
- View live presentations by faculty currently using thinkARGUMENTS in their courses, big and small, and leverage their insights and support as you consider how thinkARGUMENTS can support your own instruction
- Collaborate with your team to redesign existing programs or courses for AY 2024-2025 to (a) use thinkARGUMENTS to enhance existing course and program plans and (b) leverage the critical thinking skills taught in thinkARGUMENTS throughout the term
- Gain as much one-on-one support from thinkARGUMENTS staff before, during, and after the term ends as you like!
HOW DOES THE SUMMER INSTITUTE WORK?
STEP 1: COALESCE A TEAM
Identify a small team of colleagues (2-4 individuals) at your institution interested in teaching Argument Mapping and Systematic Empathy in the 2024-2025 academic year by implementing the thinkARGUMENTS virtual program with students.
Teams can include faculty, program leaders, graduate student teachers and teaching assistants, advising staff, Deans, Provosts, and more!
STEP 2: TRY THEN APPLY
Browse the thinkARGUMENTS online program for students if you haven't already to get a feel. Try taking some practice sets and mastery checks, just like a student would!
When you're ready, submit an application for the summer implementation institute. It's fast and easy.
STEP 3: JOIN THE COHORT
The summer institute is spread over five one-hour sessions, scheduled for each Tuesday between June 25 and July 23, 2024. More on scheduling below.
Once accepted, we will email your team information about how to join the (virtual) all-group sessions, peer support groups, and connect with thinkFellows-- faculty and institutional leaders who have successfully implemented thinkARGUMENTS to fit their course and program goals.
During the once-weekly all-group sessions, be ready to hear from experts, ask questions, and imagine how your courses and programs might be changed for the better if your students mastered Argument Mapping and Systematic Empathy. Outside of sessions, we'll suggest how you can collaborate with your team over the summer (in person, or virtually) to make lasting, substantive impact across courses and programs.
STEP 4: IMPLEMENT & ITERATE
Use thinkARGUMENTS in your fall 2024 courses, and track changes in students' skills (we can help!).
Along the way, reach out to the thinkARGUMENTS team and network with questions.
As a part of the summer institute, we will connect you with peers and mentor Fellows who can help guide next steps that are tailored to your goals and institution.
THE DETAILS
The institute is composed of five hour-long collaborative sessions, held virtually over Zoom. Please share these dates with your team and ensure everyone can attend and participate. If you have any questions about scheduling, reach out to our team at [email protected].
The institute is FREE for all participants and presented by ThinkerAnalytix, the education non-profit organization behind thinkARGUMENTS.
Enabling clear thinking and productive disagreement: where can thinkARGUMENTS go?
Faculty Fellow spotlight: TBA
Mastering Argument Mapping and Systematic Empathy: How thinkARGUMENTS works in practice (led by ThinkerAnalytix team)
Topic TBA
thinkARGUMENTS Fellow spotlight: Dr. Allan Hazlett, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Washington University in St. Louis
After thinkARGUMENTS, what’s next?
thinkARGUMENTS Fellow spotlight: Dr. Gary Comstock, Alumni Association Distinguished Undergraduate Professor, North Carolina State University
Showcase and wrapping up
READY TO LEARN MORE?
TOOLS YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
Systematic Empathy is a step-by-step method for precise listening. Participants slow down their thinking to better understand the logic and context of an opposing argument.
Argument Mapping activates reasoning skills by uncovering hidden reasons, faulty logic, as well as points of connection.
Mastery Learning is a process for building Systematic Empathy and Argument Mapping skills through student-centered practice. Students work at their own pace, and their own skill level, to practice until mastery is achieved,
LEARN MORE AT A PREVIEW WEBINAR
Hear more about the summer institute and ask your questions at a spring preview webinar!
UPCOMING WEBINAR DATES:
TRUSTED BY EDUCATORS
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ABOUT US
thinkARGUMENTS is produced by ThinkerAnalytix, an education non-profit organization spun out of the Harvard University Department of Philosophy. Why philosophy? For philosophers, disagreement is expected, even invited, to tackle seemingly impossible problems. History shows that the best learning happens through disagreement that is inquisitive, respectful, and fearless.
We leverage thousands of years of pedagogy from philosophy and custom education technology to offer a portfolio of courses and programs that teach productive disagreement as an essential part of learning and working communities.
