The “Five Practices for Better College Discussions”, a Collaborative Discussion Project workshop series, kicked off virtually on September 25th with a successful introduction to collaborative communication. The first session laid the groundwork for how students can enhance their discussion skills by learning to communicate openly, compromise effectively, and collaborate to build ideas—skills that are crucial not only in academic discussions but in everyday interactions.
“The focus of the session was really about communication—learning to be more open and how to express yourself effectively.”
Sydney McKee, a senior at Parkersburg South High School, found the session eye-opening. It highlighted the importance of being open to new perspectives, and avoiding the trap of selfish communication. “We speak a lot more selfishly than we think,” Sydney added.
The session enabled participants to try different communication methods using a fun exercise based around planning a vacation. Participants experimented with different approaches: simply agreeing with a partner, challenging ideas with a “but”, and building on each other’s ideas through the “Yes, and…” method. Sydney noted that this last method made the conversation “way easier”.
The workshop was led by IF Collaborative Discussion Coach Cuda Zmuda, whose thoughtful facilitation style made everyone feel at ease, even in a virtual setting. Sydney appreciated how Cuda’s phrasing of questions created a fluid, comfortable environment where no one felt shy about participating, despite meeting for the first time.
“Cuda was very good at getting everyone to talk. The way he phrased his questions made everything feel really fluid, and no one felt shy. It was a very comfortable environment, which is crazy because we were all strangers. It was wonderful.”
For Sydney, the session was a reminder of the importance of stepping outside of individual perspectives and collaborating more effectively with others. She believes fellow students could greatly benefit from discussions like these—particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
“There’s a lot of social anxiety in my age group and even a little bit younger, like high schoolers right now. And I think a lot of it is the whole COVID thing. There’s a lot of struggle, a lot of social anxiety, and a lot of pressure. I think that being in discussions like this and talking would definitely benefit us.”
This workshop series is designed for college students eager to improve their discussion skills, build meaningful connections, and prepare for academic, professional, and personal success. Future sessions will continue to focus on key aspects of discussion, including asking better questions, framing topics, and moving beyond binary thinking.
When Sydney was asked if she would be attending the next session, she had just one thing to say: “Absolutely. I’m very excited about it!”
Join the next workshop in the series, Asking Better Questions, online on October 9th. RSVP for free:
Workshop Topics:
- September 25: Co-Creation
- October 9: Asking Better Questions
- October 23: Separating the Person and Issue
- November 6: Intention vs Perception
- November 20: Move Beyond Either/Or Thinking
Attend all workshops, or choose which ones you’re interested in attending when you RSVP.
About the Collaborative Discussion Project
The Collaborative Discussion Project is an IF project that provides free tools and activities that support collaborative discussion, as well as coach training. In this discussion, students followed Activity 2.6: Building on the Ideas of Others. Check out the CDP website and browse its free toolkit at https://www.collaborativediscussionproject.com/.
