Perspectives for High School Students
Perspectives is an evidence-based online learning experience that helps high school students build the skills to engage across differences with curiosity and confidence
Perspectives for High School Students is an evidence-based online learning experience that helps students build the skills to engage across differences with curiosity and confidence. Through structured, self-paced modules, students learn to navigate disagreements constructively, consider different viewpoints, and approach complex conversations with clarity and respect.
Grounded in behavioral science, Perspectives for High School Students adapts CDI’s established learning experience with scenarios and examples relevant to high school students, helping schools introduce constructive dialogue skills into the student experience.
Supported by three randomized controlled trials, the gold standard in social science research
Winner of the Stanford Democracy Challenge
Designed for integration into curriculum or co-curricular programs
Program Format
Perspectives is offered as an online learning program, combining online lessons with peer-to-peer exercises.
Length: 2.5 hours (6 modules)
- Format: Online and self paced
The Student Experience
A combination of lessons, guided practice, and assessment designed to build dialogue skills.
Self-Paced Lessons
Short, interactive lessons introduce students to the core skills of constructive dialogue, from understanding cognitive biases and moral differences to asking better questions and navigating conflict. Assign the full six-lesson sequence or integrate flexible modules into your course.
Guided Conversations
Structured peer-to-peer exercises give students the chance to apply what they’ve learned in real time—practicing skills like curiosity, perspective-taking, and storytelling through prompts designed to build understanding, not just debate.
Insights & Assessment
Optional quizzes reinforce key concepts, while the instructor dashboard provides visibility into student progress, engagement, and skill development—making it easy to support growth and track outcomes.
Concepts Covered
Recognizing the limits of one’s own knowledge while considering how reasonable people can arrive at different conclusions.
Lesson Overview
Understand how cognitive biases and fast, intuitive thinking shape your reactions—and learn how to slow down and challenge your assumptions.
Common Use Cases
- Integrating dialogue into advisory groups or student clubs
- Building dialogue training into civics or interdisciplinary classwork
- Supporting a schoolwide culture of inquiry, dialogue, and free expression
- Addressing polarization concerns
- Supporting college and career readiness for engagement across differences
By the end of this program, students will:
- Understand the value of inquiry, dialogue, and free expression in academic and civic life
- Recognize how identity, values, and moral frameworks shape perspectives
- Practice listening and question-asking strategies that deepen understanding
- Apply constructive tools to navigate disagreement and conflict
- Reflect on their role in strengthening campus culture
Explore Our Research
We conduct original research to inform the field and evaluate the effectiveness of our tools. View our reports and papers.
Why Dialogue Skills Matter More Than Ever for Career Readiness
Can AI Teach Dialogue Skills to College Students?
Engaging Students Across Difference: A Practical Guide to Designing Dialogues
What People Are Saying
It's excellent for everyone. I considered myself quite deep into the world of communicating effectively, and I learned that I was quite a novice. It opened my mind in ways I didn't know existed. I do suppose that's the point, and this program nailed it.
I have used the platform with high school and college students as well as professionals… I’ve noticed a marked difference in students’ willingness and ability to engage in constructive conversation about challenging topics.
Using six Perspectives lessons, we helped high school seniors navigate polarization. The impact was clear: after the election, our divided class led an honest, vulnerable, and respectful discussion—entirely on their own.
It's excellent for everyone. I considered myself quite deep into the world of communicating effectively, and I learned that I was quite a novice. It opened my mind in ways I didn't know existed. I do suppose that's the point, and this program nailed it.
I have used the platform with high school and college students as well as professionals… I’ve noticed a marked difference in students’ willingness and ability to engage in constructive conversation about challenging topics.
Using six Perspectives lessons, we helped high school seniors navigate polarization. The impact was clear: after the election, our divided class led an honest, vulnerable, and respectful discussion—entirely on their own.
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