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Better Conversations

Teachers
Coaches
Administrators
Teams

This Radical Learners course is meant to be more than something to watch or listen to -- the course is meant to be lived. We provide short lessons where Jim explains key concepts from Better Conversations, to make it easy for you to explore how to have better conversations. You will receive a learner guide to take notes and document your learning experiences. We've also included reflection questions and activities at the end of each lesson so you can dive into the content being discussed. Since real learning happens in real life, we've also included reflection forms you can use to revisit or prepare for conversations.

Course Length
9
Hours

This includes time for video and reflection.

Instructed By
Jim Knight
Jim Knight
Read bio
this course is designed for
Teachers
Coaches
Administrators
Teams
Course Outcomes

Participants will improve their conversations and consequently their lives.

What's included?
  • 9hr course (including time for reflection)
  • 15 learning hours
  • 1 graduate credit with University of the Pacific
  • Unlimited access to video lessons
  • Digital course workbook
  • Access to the Radical Learners community space
  • Multiple print-ready resources
Instructed By
Jim Knight
Jim Knight
Read bio
this course was made for
Teachers
Coaches
Administrators
Teams
What's included?
  • 9hr course (including time for reflection)
  • 15 learning hours
  • 1 graduate credit with University of the Pacific
  • Unlimited access to video lessons
  • Digital course workbook
  • Access to the Radical Learners community space
  • Multiple print-ready resources
Course Outcomes

Participants will improve their conversations and consequently their lives.

Jim Knight

Jim Knight, Founder and Senior Partner of Instructional Coaching Group (ICG), is also a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than two decades studying professional learning and instructional coaching. Jim earned his PhD in Education from the University of Kansas and has won several university teaching, innovation, and service awards.

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Course Description

This Radical Learners course is meant to be more than something to watch or listen to -- the course is meant to be lived. We provide short lessons where Jim explains key concepts from Better Conversations, to make it easy for you to explore how to have better conversations. You will receive a learner guide to take notes and document your learning experiences. We've also included reflection questions and activities at the end of each lesson so you can dive into the content being discussed. Since real learning happens in real life, we've also included reflection forms you can use to revisit or prepare for conversations.

Instructed By
Jim Knight
Jim Knight
Read bio
Course Outcomes

Participants will improve their conversations and consequently their lives.

What's included?
  • 9hr course (including time for reflection)
  • 15 learning hours
  • 1 graduate credit with University of the Pacific
  • Unlimited access to video lessons
  • Digital course workbook
  • Access to the Radical Learners community space
  • Multiple print-ready resources

I have definitely improved in my awareness of my own behaviors in conversations and what I need and want to do to improve my listening, warmth, and non-judgementalness.

Literacy Coach Coordinator

I think this course provided a good review of checking assumptions before presuming to coach or instruct someone in best practices.

Director of Teaching & Learning

I feel like the ideas and strategies shared in the course will help me have more productive and focused conversations with the teachers I coach.

Instructional Coach

I think this course provided a good review of checking assumptions before presuming to coach or instruct someone in best practices.

Director of Teaching & Learning

preview the course

Where does your current communication style lie?

Are your communication skills as effective as you need them to be? Use our self-assessment tool to identify your current reality.

Topics Covered

Understand How You Communicate
Six Beliefs of Better Conversation
Better Questions
Empathy
Listening
Dialogue
Understanding Emotions
Emotional Connection
Witness to the Good
How to Stop Toxic Conversations
Finding Common Ground
Fostering Trust

Enroll in Better Conversations

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you can also take this course in a virtual, cohort setting with other learners

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Course Outline

Lesson One: Why Do We Need Better Conversations?

Communication is central to school improvement

Effective communication is an essential skill for a fulfilling life

Better Conversations is a movement toward a more authentic version of yourself

Lesson Two: Understanding How You Communicate

Communication Profile

Why you don't know what it looks like when you talk with people

Lesson Three: Six Beliefs

I see others as equal partners in conversations.

I want to hear what others have to say.

I believe others should have a lot of autonomy.

I don’t judge my conversation partners.

Our conversation should be back and forth.

Conversation should be life giving.

Lesson Four: Empathy

What Empathy Is

Looking Ahead

Looking Back

Lesson Five: Better Questions

Characteristics of Effective Questions

Characteristics of Powerful Questions

Open vs. Closed Questions

Real Questions

Deeper Questions

The Impact Cycle questions

Lesson Six: Listening

Internal Listening

External Listening

How to Respond Effectively

Looking Ahead

Looking Back

Lesson Seven: Dialogue

How to Foster Dialogue

Dialogue Structures

Questions that foster dialogue

Looking At

Lesson Eight: Understanding Emotions

False Narratives

Self-Criticism

Lesson Nine: Emotional Connection

Loneliness

A Vocabulary for Understanding Emotional Connection

Looking Ahead

Lesson Ten: Being a Witness to the Good

Developing “a language of ongoing regard”

Looking Ahead

Lesson Eleven: Stop Toxic Conversations

Difficulties Stopping Toxic Conversations

Reflection Questions

Stopping Toxic Conversations

Redirecting Toxic Conversations

Lesson Twelve: Find Common Ground

I C.A.R.E.

Lesson Thirteen: Foster Trust

What is Trust?

Course Outline

Lesson One: Why Do We Need Better Conversations?

Communication is central to school improvement

Effective communication is an essential skill for a fulfilling life

Better Conversations is a movement toward a more authentic version of yourself

Lesson Two: Understanding How You Communicate

Communication Profile

Why you don't know what it looks like when you talk with people

Lesson Three: Six Beliefs

I see others as equal partners in conversations.

I want to hear what others have to say.

I believe others should have a lot of autonomy.

I don’t judge my conversation partners.

Our conversation should be back and forth.

Conversation should be life giving.

Lesson Four: Empathy

What Empathy Is

Looking Ahead

Looking Back

Lesson Five: Better Questions

Characteristics of Effective Questions

Characteristics of Powerful Questions

Open vs. Closed Questions

Real Questions

Deeper Questions

The Impact Cycle questions

Lesson Six: Listening

Internal Listening

External Listening

How to Respond Effectively

Looking Ahead

Looking Back

Lesson Seven: Dialogue

How to Foster Dialogue

Dialogue Structures

Questions that foster dialogue

Looking At

Lesson Eight: Understanding Emotions

False Narratives

Self-Criticism

Lesson Nine: Emotional Connection

Loneliness

A Vocabulary for Understanding Emotional Connection

Looking Ahead

Lesson Ten: Being a Witness to the Good

Developing “a language of ongoing regard”

Looking Ahead

Lesson Eleven: Stop Toxic Conversations

Difficulties Stopping Toxic Conversations

Reflection Questions

Stopping Toxic Conversations

Redirecting Toxic Conversations

Lesson Twelve: Find Common Ground

I C.A.R.E.

Lesson Thirteen: Foster Trust

What is Trust?

looking to add this course to your District's PD library?

To purchase this course license for your district’s library of professional learning courses, please email melissa@instructionalcoaching.com.

frequently asked questions

How long do I have access to a course?
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Forever! Once you purchase a Radical Learners course, you can access it indefinitely.

Is there a refund policy?
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Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds on Radical Learners courses.

How do the courses work? Will I be in a cohort of students?
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Radical Learners offers asynchronous courses that you are free to enjoy on your own time.

Do you offer a group discount?
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Radical Learners courses are carefully priced to fit educators’ personal budgets. Because of this, we do not offer group discounts.

Who's the company behind Radical Learners?
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Created by Jenny & Jim Knight, with collaboration from their team at The Instructional Coaching Group, Radical Learners is based on 20+ years of instructional coaching research. Learn more about ICG at www.instructionalcoaching.com.

Can I make a recommendation for a topic or instructor?
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Yes, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Just email hello@radicallearners.com with your suggestions and feedback.

Do you accept purchase orders?
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Yes, we do. Please email support@radicallearners.com to process payment via Purchase Order.

Who do I contact for more information about customizing courses to my district’s needs?
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Send us a message at support@radicallearners.com!

Do you have a mailing list for instructional coaching resources?
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Yes! Just enter your contact info below to receive a weekly newsletter from The Instructional Coaching Group.

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Is there a Radical Learners app?
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Yes! Radical Learners courses are available everywhere you go, via the Thinkific app.

Want to learn more about Radical Learners?

Send us a message to see how we can customize this course to your district’s needs.