Introducing the Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP)
Dear Friends,?
Welcome to our weekly Interactivity Foundation Newsletter. Please subscribe to receive weekly information about upcoming events, new resources, and highlights from our community partners.
What We Do
The Interactivity Foundation is dedicated to supporting democracy through discussion. You might be wondering, “How do you do this?” In this newsletter series, we are showcasing our core programs and the teams that lead them. If you missed it, last week we highlighted our Sustained Discussion Program (SDP) and the SDP Team. You can read the newsletter here. We also shared the application to become a SDP Visiting Fellow 2024/2025. Applications are open until August 23rd, 2024.
Collaborative Discussion Project
This week we are highlighting one of our Collaborative Learning initiatives: the Collaborative Discussion Project.
Launched in 2020, the Collaborative Discussion Project is a community of practitioners and educators, working together to advance collaborative intelligence. We do this through:
Learn more about the CDP and hear what educators have to say about the curriculum and community. Stay tuned to hear about other Collaborative Learning resources. We are excited to share about our new Interactive Journal in the coming weeks.
For now, join us for an upcoming CDP event:
Join the CDP Team
The Collaborative Discussion Project is a community of educators and civic professionals who are passionate about improving collaborative discussion skills and mindsets. You can join our team by becoming a curriculum contributor, certified collaborative discussion coach, or working with us on our assessment or training teams. For more information, contact CDP Assistant Director, Ritu Thomas at [email protected].
If you choose to join us, you will be working along side some of our IF Team members like Eric Schmucker, Cuda Zmuda, and Ritu Thomas.
领英推荐
Eric Schmucker is the Fellow in Residence at the Interactivity Foundation. He is a core contributor to the Interactivity Foundation’s collaborative learning initiatives with a particular focus on developing collaborative discussion certificate tracks and supporting our K12 partnerships.
Eric has an MA in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Governance from James Madison University (JMU) and serves as a restorative justice facilitator, a story exchange facilitator, and an Affiliate Facilitator with the Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue at JMU. He lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with his spouse and two kids.?
Ritu Thomas first got involved with the Interactivity Foundation in 2013, working as a note-taker and panelist for the Future of Mobility project. In 2023, Ritu joined the Interactivity Foundation as an Associate. She is now the Assistant Director of the Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP) and Website Manager for the IF and CDP websites. She has a BA in International Area Studies, with a Minor in Architecture, from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Ritu loves animals. She enjoys spending time with her cat and likes to support the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. She is also neurodivergent, with many autistic traits.
Cuda Zmuda was first introduced to the Collaborative Discussion Project as a student. Through a course offered by Dr. Lori Britt, Cuda was able to earn a certificate in collaborative discussion while also being identified as a rising collaborative partner. Subsequently, Cuda became a CDP Coach and offered his own certificate programs at James Madison University while earning his Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. He has recently joined the IF Team as a Collaborative Learning Visiting Fellow.
Previously, Cuda has worked with a variety of groups as a facilitator, including local governments, non-profit organizations, small businesses, neighborhoods, and student cohorts. He currently works for Healthy Neighborhoods Inc, a community development non-profit in Baltimore City, a program focused on supporting homeownership and uplifting “middle neighborhoods” across the city. He appreciates the opportunity and importance of engaging with individuals to promote change or find common ground.
The CDP Team, however, extends well beyond this group. We have 100+ certified coaches, working teams, and toolkit curriculum contributors. Check out our CDP Collaborators! We will be highlighting the work of these amazing folks in future newsletters along with other IF Programs and team members. Stay tuned to learn more. Please consider registering for an event below or sharing this newsletter with someone who might be interested.
Thanks,
Shannon & the IF Team
Great initiative! What strategies will the CDP use to facilitate meaningful dialogue among diverse groups?
Exciting! How does the Collaborative Discussion Project enhance group decision-making dynamics?