Encouraging Student Participation in Discussion Sections
CATE TA Workshops
August 19, 2026
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Location
Lincoln Hall Room 104
Address
707 South Morgan Street, Chicago, IL
Calendar
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Overview
Discussion sections offer an important opportunity to deepen student comprehension of course concepts through active learning approaches. But how do you get students to talk? What do you do if your students aren’t prepared? How can you create a classroom environment where all students feel comfortable participating? In this workshop, participants will learn strategies for facilitating engaging, inclusive class discussions and diverse learning activities that will help promote active participation and enrich their students' learning.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe meaningful participation and its importance to student learning
- Identify common barriers to participation
- Employ a selection of strategies and activities for encouraging participation in a variety of situations
WORKSHOP FORMAT: This workshop will be held in Lincoln Hall room 104 (707 S. Morgan Street)
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Jacki Putnam, jputna4@uic.edu
WORKSHOP CONTACT: teaching@uic.edu
Inclusivity & Accessibility Information: CATE is committed to making events accessible. In-person events typically involve a combination of presentation and discussion-based activities. We welcome ASL interpreters, note-takers, and accompanying assistants to in-person CATE events.
TA workshops will take place in-person primarily in Lincoln Hall, 707 S. Morgan St with larger capacity workshops being held in Lecture Center C, 802 S. Morgan St. To access the second floor of Lincoln Hall there is an elevator in Grant Hall with skybridge access to the second and third floors of Lincoln Hall via Douglas Hall (UIC campus map).
Accessible restrooms are available on the first and second floors of Lincoln Hall and Douglas Hall, and an accessible all gender restroom is available on the first floor of Douglas Hall next to the women's restroom. There are 20 fully separated all gender bathroom stalls in Lecture Center E (806 S. Halsted St.) located on the West side of the building. To find additional all-gender restrooms visit the all-gender restroom campus map on the gender and sexuality center website.
For more access info or access requests, please email teaching@uic.edu.
Date posted
Jul 10, 2026
Date updated
Jul 10, 2026