About the course
Our unique methodology
Civil discourse is at the heart of democratic education. This course introduces educators to a research-backed framework for facilitating productive, respectful dialogue in classrooms of all levels. You will learn to create structured spaces where students can engage with diverse perspectives, develop critical thinking skills, and practice the art of reasoned argumentation.
Through a combination of theory, practical exercises, and peer collaboration, you will build the confidence and skills needed to guide students through challenging conversations. Whether addressing current events, historical debates, or ethical dilemmas, the strategies in this course are designed to be adaptable to any subject area and grade level.
Details
Includes
Shareable certificate
Accreditation compliant
Course accessibility
What you’ll learn
Master Core Concepts
- Define civil discourse with a focus on classroom application.
- Explain the benefits of integrating structured dialogue into your teaching practice.
Develop Facilitation Skills
- Evaluate a range of discussion frameworks and protocols.
- Acquire hands-on experience through practical exercises designed for your classroom context.
Apply Your Skills in Context
- Design impactful classroom discussions around civil discourse.
- Learn how to implement and assess them in line with curriculum goals and learning objectives.
Share Your Learning
- Complete assessments that demonstrate your new capabilities and document your progress.
- Receive feedback from your peers and leverage a diverse range of supplementary resources.
Skills you’ll gain
Reflection moments
Our moments echo our methodology—these are a ‘pause’, and take the focus temporarily away from the core content of the course to think deeply on the details—but are nevertheless connected to the subject matter.
Think²
Pause and examine your assumptions. These moments encourage you to question what you think you know and consider alternative perspectives on the topic.
Think² Shared
Consider your students’ perspectives and experiences. These moments focus on understanding how learners process and engage with civil discourse concepts.
Literacy
Connect course content to broader reading and research. Literacy moments bridge theory and practice through curated texts and scholarly resources.
Ready to transform your classroom conversations?
Join educators building the skills to facilitate meaningful, respectful dialogue with students of all ages.
Modules
Featured course resources
C3 Framework Alignment
Dimension 1. Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries
D1.1. Explain why compelling questions are important.
D1.2. Identify disciplinary ideas associated with compelling questions.
Dimension 2. Applying Disciplinary Concepts and Tools
History
D2.His.13. Use information about a historical source—including creator, date, place of origin, audience, and purpose—to evaluate its usefulness.
D2.His.16. Use evidence to develop claims about the past.
Civics
D2.Civ.2. Explain how people contribute to communities.
D2.Civ.5. Explain the functions of government.
D2.Civ.6. Describe how communities work together.
D2.Civ.10. Compare perspectives.
D2.Civ.11. Explain collaborative decision making.
Dimension 3. Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence
D3.2. Evaluate sources by distinguishing fact from opinion.
D3.4. Use evidence to support claims.
Dimension 4. Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action
D4.4. Ask and answer questions about arguments.
D4.5. Ask and answer questions about explanations.
D4.7. Identify and evaluate civic actions.
Course Feedback Survey
Help us improve! Please complete this anonymous survey once you have finished the course. We’d love to hear from you!
A microcourse is a short, focused learning experience designed to be completed in manageable segments — so you can fit professional development into your actual schedule, not just your PD days.
Course length varies, but most microcourses are designed to be completed in five hours — and you can pause and return whenever it works for you.
All courses are developed by teachers in collaboration with William & Mary faculty researchers, museum professionals, and other experts. Courses are grounded in learning science and backed by William & Mary’s decades of leadership in civic education. Content is designed to be rigorous and immediately applicable in the classroom.
Five courses are available for free during the public beta:Artifact Analysis, Civil Discourse, History Inquiry, Nonfiction Reading Strategies, and Podcasting in the Classroom. More courses will be added soon.
When you complete a lilyPD course, you’ll receive a downloadable certificate worth 5 hours of professional development, accredited by William & Mary’s School of Education.
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