Program Overview

Introduction to the Critical Dialogic Pedagogy Micro-Credential Program

The Critical Dialogic Pedagogy Micro-Credential Program is a workshop series offered by CU Dialogues, designed for CU Boulder graduate students. The program aims to empower educators with the skills to create meaningful, inclusive dialogue in their teaching, supporting the campus's five critical goals.

Program Details

• The program is a 10-week hybrid workshop series, recognized by the CU Boulder's Registrar's Office.
• It is open to all CU Boulder M.A. and PhD students, particularly those currently working as Graduate Part Time Instructors (GPTIs) or Teaching Assistants (TAs) or preparing to teach in future semesters.
• The series is designed for graduate students from any academic discipline who want to integrate inclusive, equity-centered dialogue into their teaching.

Program Objectives

The program objectives include:

• Developing a conceptual understanding of the guiding principles and practices of critical dialogue pedagogy and the Nagda intergroup dialogue model.
• Creating a "toolbox" of critically-informed dialogic instructional practices to integrate into forthcoming syllabi, curriculum, and/or lesson design.
• Developing a learning portfolio to reflect conceptual understanding and classroom application of critical dialogic pedagogy tools and practices.
• Engaging in critical self-reflection regarding one's own identities to understand how power and dominant narratives operate in the classroom.
• Engaging in critical self-reflection of one's own commitment to intersectional equitable pedagogy and (re)committing to implementing anti-racism practices in the classroom.

Program Structure

• The program runs for 10 weeks, with sessions held on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 pm, alternating between in-person and remote formats.
• Participants are expected to attend one 90-minute session each week and complete approximately 1 hour of prep work before each session.
• After the 10-week series, participants will use the remainder of the semester to complete a teaching portfolio and demonstrate their learning to earn the Critical Dialogic Pedagogy Micro-Credential digital badge.

Teaching and Reflection Portfolio Overview

To earn the Critical Dialogic Pedagogy Micro-Credential, participants will complete a final portfolio that demonstrates their learning and growth throughout the program. The portfolio typically includes 5-6 artifacts that showcase participants' ability to integrate critical dialogic practices into their teaching, such as:

• A positionality statement that explores identity, power, and perspective in teaching.
• A revised discussion activity or lesson plan that centers dialogic pedagogy practices.
• Examples of redesigned questions or protocols to cultivate more inclusive classroom dialogue.
• A personal reflection on growth and learning during the workshop series.
• A teaching statement informed by critical dialogic pedagogy.
• Syllabus revisions that center dialogic practices.

Participant Commitments and Expectations

Participants are expected to:

• Attend all 10 workshop sessions.
• Meet the required time commitment of approximately 40 hours.
• Create a learning portfolio, which includes 5 specific "artifacts" to support future curriculum design.
• Participate in a Dialogues Mixer at the end of the workshop to practice facilitation skills.

Micro-Credential and Digital Badge

Upon completing the program, participants will receive a micro-credential and digital badge, which is a public-facing certification that outlines the training's focus, key learnings, completed work, and participant-created artifacts. The digital badge appears on official transcripts and can be shared on resumes, CVs, and professional platforms.