Weekly Teaching and Learning Email - Debate in the Classroom

13th March 2015

Dear Colleagues,

Here is some productive procrastination as we avoid reports courtesy of Mr Ashley about the use of debate in the classroom.

Running a debate in your classroom

What’s the point?

Debating is a fun and engaging way to get students interested in a wide range of topics. It develops a wide variety of skills and gets them thinking about how to construct ideas and arguments; thus allowing them to write better essays for a start!

The skills provided through debating:

Communication skills
Teamwork skills
Higher-order thinking skills
Confidence and self-esteem
Academic achievement
Attitudes towards school
Engagement with social issues
 Aspirations and expectations

Running a debate:

For me, the best part about a debate is the autonomy the students generally develop and really can come up with some great ideas. As a teacher, you merely have to point them in the right direction, allowing the lesson to be very student led (if you dare to do that sort of thing).

I would always make sure the rules are clear: one speaker at a time during the debate. You could always use a ‘speaking stick’ or toss a ball around to ensure this occurs, although the kids here are generally respectful of each other.

Group work

Separate the students into teams (this could be 10 on each side). I always try to make them even if possible. Or challenge your more able ones by putting them against everybody else! There needs to be a team that agrees with the motion (the debate topic), and a team that opposes.

Discussion and preparation time in teams

This is very important! Give them plenty of time to develop and generate ideas. I always use the PEEL structure. I’ll use the argument that English is the most important subject in school as an example: PEEL (Point; Explain; Evidence; Link).

1)      Make a Point – English is important in school because all lessons are taught in English.

2)      Explain your idea – this is a British educational establishment. The aim of the school is obvious from the moment you read the name and see all of the fantastic lessons being taught using the English language. Without the option of taking English as a subject, the ability to develop and improve on those skills would be significantly hampered and therefore students would fail to reach their maximum potential. (This could go on…)

3)      Use Evidence to support your argument – Look around you… It is obvious everywhere as you can see written English, you hear it being spoken and you can sense its importance!

4)      Link the idea back to the main focus – This links back to the idea that English is the most important lesson to be taught in schools as without it - you all would have failed to understand my argument!

This structure is really helpful in getting them to write better essays. Developing more detailed explanations on topics also gets them to think about how they can provide the right amount of detail for answers in your topic area.

TIPS

·         Allocate specific roles to students. I usually have 4 ‘representatives’, then they take it in turns to put their ideas in speech format. Alternatively, you could just play a type of ‘verbal tennis’ game, where each team gives an idea and then the other team respond to it before giving out their own idea.

·         Time limits should be given. I’d start with around 1 minute per speech and as they become familiar you can increase the time accordingly.

·         You can allow students to ask questions during the debate (Point Of Interest, or POI), although this can be tricky. With this the person speaking can say no to the disruption if they wish.

SCORING A DEBATE

·         Points for length of time speech lasts for

·         Use of PEEL structure

·         Intelligence of ideas

·         Or any other way you like

How can you use it in your subject?

Debate topics can range from current affairs to sporting dilemmas and everything in between. With my debate club we have ranged from the media and celebrities to religion and water shortage in the world. Check out debate.org for ideas on topics and helpful ideas and arguments you can share with your class.

I run a debate club every Thursday in B34, please feel free to drop by to see how it works then. Alternatively, I do occasionally use them in my lessons, so if you are interested in developing some peer observations I am more than willing to set something up.

Best regards,
Ashley