Seeing Students Shine: Lessons from Leading Better College Discussions
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Dear collaborative discussion friends,
This week we would like to share the experience of Cuda Zmuda, one of our Collaborative Discussion Coaches, who led our Five Practices for Better College Discussion workshop series last year as a Visiting Fellow. Cuda speaks about the need for such programs:
“I firmly believe that the skills students develop through these programs—such as how to engage with others respectfully, how to listen more effectively, and how to navigate difficult conversations—are essential for creating a more empathetic, open-minded, and connected population.”
Register now for our July or September 2025 Collaborative Discussion Coach Training to become a coach like Cuda Zmuda and join our growing community of coaches (150+) who use activities from the CDP Toolkit, as well as deliver custom certificate programs, to help foster collaborative discussion skills and mindsets.
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CDP Coach Cuda Zmuda shares his experience leading a CDP workshop series
During the 2024 Fall Semester, I had the privilege of facilitating the Interactivity Foundation’s five-workshop series, “Five Practices for Better College Discussions”, as part of the Collaborative Discussion Project. Throughout each session, I actively engaged with students, guiding them as they worked on honing critical skills that will serve them in all areas of life. We focused on topics such as co-creation, asking better questions, and understanding the difference between intention and perception. Over the course of three months, I watched as participants developed skills that enhanced not only their academic performance but also their personal growth and professional development. These skills allowed them to approach challenges in a more thoughtful, reflective way, equipping them with tools for success both inside and outside the classroom.
Although I have had the opportunity to engage with various Interactivity Foundation Programs before, including serving as a Collaborative Discussion Coach, this workshop series felt especially meaningful. Each session was unique, as I saw students from across the United States come together virtually, bringing a rich diversity of perspectives and experiences. It was inspiring to witness how, despite having various reasons for attending, each participant left with a better understanding of themselves and how to engage in discussions that go beyond surface-level interactions. The connections they made with one another, often with people they had never met before, fostered a deeper level of empathy and insight into how to communicate effectively and respectfully with others.
“I saw students from across the United States come together virtually, bringing a rich diversity of perspectives and experiences.”
What I found most rewarding was seeing students fully immerse themselves in the process of exploration, despite the virtual setting. I observed students engage deeply with challenging topics. By the end of each session, I saw growth that wasn’t just reflected in increased participation in the conversation or the more frequent use of their cameras, but in the meaningful reflections they shared and the deeper skills they developed in the process.
One session that stands out to me was our exploration of “Either/Or Thinking” using an activity from the Collaborative Discussion Toolkit. We used the activity to examine moral dilemmas, and the resulting conversations were more profound than I could have anticipated. The students began to see how personal values influence the way we perceive situations and make decisions. It was powerful to witness how the group realized it’s not always easy to consider something “right” when it contradicts a deeply-held value. This realization sparked a shift in how they approached complex issues, leading to a richer, more nuanced understanding of the polarization we see around various ideas today. It also led them to reflect on how personal biases shape their perspectives, and how being aware of these biases can lead to more open-minded and thoughtful conversations.
“This realization sparked a shift in how they approached complex issues, leading to a richer, more nuanced understanding of the polarization we see around various ideas today.”
As I reflect on the challenges we face today, I recognize how difficult it can be for people to have meaningful interactions. In our fast-paced, information-overloaded world, technology often acts as a barrier to face-to-face communication, and curated “explore pages” can limit our exposure to diverse viewpoints. The convenience of quickly accessing information often makes us less inclined to engage in the kind of thoughtful, inquisitive discourse that strengthens our understanding of complex issues. However, the “Five Practices for Better College Discussions” workshop series and other programs offered by the Interactivity Foundation’s Collaborative Discussion Project provide much-needed opportunities to break through these barriers. These workshops help students grow not only in academic settings but also as active, engaged members of society. I firmly believe that the skills students develop through these programs—such as how to engage with others respectfully, how to listen more effectively, and how to navigate difficult conversations—are essential for creating a more empathetic, open-minded, and connected population.
It’s clear that we need more spaces like these, where we can engage with one another in meaningful ways, share our perspectives, and learn how to respectfully disagree. I encourage anyone looking to expand their skills in these areas to consider participating in future Interactivity Foundation workshops and programs.
Become a Collaborative Discussion Coach
Join our growing community of 150+ coaches. Register now for our July or September Collaborative Discussion Coach Training.
July 2025 Coach Training
When: 12 pm – 3 pm (eastern) on July 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25
Where: Online via Zoom, with small group breakout sessions
How much does it cost? $495
When is the deadline to register? Sunday, June 22, 2025
September 2025 Coach Training
When: 6 pm – 8 pm (eastern) on September 4, 11, 18, 25, and October 2
Where: Online via Zoom, with small group breakout sessions
How much does it cost? $495
When is the deadline to register? Sunday, August 3, 2025
We are able to offer a discounted price due to the generous support of the Interactivity Foundation. Our programming should never be cost prohibitive. Please contact us if a scholarship is needed.
If you are interested but these dates don’t work for you, don’t worry. We will keep you posted as future trainings are scheduled. We are also open to offering cohort trainings. Please reach out and we can explore possibilities.
Want to learn more? Sign up for a free webinar
Join us for an Introduction to the CDP Toolkit Webinar, where you will learn more about:
Our free toolkit of activities designed to build and support collaborative discussion skills and mindsets
Collaborative Discussion Coach Trainings and becoming a CDP Coach
How our current CDP Coaches use the toolkit in their classrooms, communities, and workplaces
All are welcome! Register for an upcoming webinar:
Looking forward to collaborating,
The Collaborative Discussion Project Team