Introduction to the Harkness Method: Implementing and Facilitating Group Discussions - May 29, 2019

Title: Introduction to the Harkness Method: Implementing and Facilitating Group Discussions
Dates: May 29, 2019
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Instructor: Jonathan Lancaster
Location: Bergen County Technical High School, College Room, 504 US-46, Teterboro, NJ 07608

The instructor of this course has been trained from Phillips Exeter Academy on how to appropriately and consistently carry out whole group discussions in the Harkness format. Moreover, the instructor has written a 40-page "Guide to Harkness" that has been reviewed, edited, and approved by Phillips Exeter Academy's faculty, which will be shared with the session's participants.

The goals for this session will be to: (1) perform a Harkness discussion to illustrate the method with the session's participants (2) define and describe what Harkness is and how it is used (3) discuss best practices with grading Harkness discussions (4) demonstrate and practice tracking and observing discussions using technology tools (Equity Maps App) (5) identify areas of curricular implementation in participants' classes. Through this session, teachers will have the ability to facilitate academic Harkness discussions surrounding their discipline-specific subject, have practical steps for implementation of Harkness discussions into their classrooms, have tracking and observation tools for grading discussions, and a plethora of resources to further adapt Harkness to their needs.

The activities will include a Harkness discussion, a presentation, watching and discussing videos of students discussing, using tracking techniques for discussions, and general discussions surrounding how to implement these discussions in participants' classes. This session is targeting middle and high school teachers.

This session is mainly targeting humanities subjects, but is open to math and science as well.

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