Democracy Bootcamp: PDTCA 2023
Basic Information
Schedule and Agenda
You can access the conference agenda online here.
Session 1: Facilitating Effective Discussions
8:45 am to 9:25 am
Guiding principles and approaches for building discussion-friendly classrooms.
Activity Instructions
Session 2: Perspectives and Biases
9:30 am to 10:10 am
Exploring the PoliTalks program themes and activities focused on perspectives, values and biases, and strategies for fostering constructive discourse.
Activity Instructions
– Value Cards Instructions
Session 3: Discussing Controversial Issues
10:20 am to 11:35 am
Best practices for facilitating political discussions in the classroom, including table discussion using a Structured Academic Controversy protocol. This session will also address common challenges that can arise in discussion.
Register for PoliTalks by visiting politalks.ca/registration
Activity Instructions
Session 4: CTRL-F
11:45 am to 12:20 pm
An introduction to the relationship between online information and informed citizenship, followed by a hands-on practice session using CTRL-F lateral reading skills.
Please access the examples here.
You can register for our free CTRL-F resources here: ctrl-f.ca/en/registration
The CTRL-F program supports Alberta’s Social Studies curricular objectives. You can find the relevant connections here.
Session 5: Panel Discussion
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Experts discuss the upcoming Alberta provincial election and current challenges to democracy, including polarization, distrust in institutions and disinformation, as well as how to address them.
- Kelly Cryderman, Globe and Mail
- Amy Mack, University of Alberta
- Zain Velji, Northweather
- Jason Markusoff, CBC (moderator)
Session 6: Student Vote Alberta
2:05 pm to 2:50 pm
A preview of the activities and tools available for Student Vote Alberta, followed by a table discussion about Student Vote experiences, implementation methods and success stories.
Register for Student Vote here: studentvote.ca/registration/