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Introduction

Debate is an active learning tool that is used across many disciplines. A Debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic in which opposing arguments are put forward. Participants discuss the topic from two opposing sides with each team contesting the ideas proposed by the other. The purpose of a debate is to focus on fundamental questions and issues providing an opportunity for students to generate effective critical thinking into the primary issues related to the motion.

Debate

Debate is also known as academic debate, contest debate, group discussion dispute among others.

Description

What is this technique/tool about? 

 

Debate is an active learning tool that is used across many disciplines.

A Debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic in which opposing arguments are put forward. Participants discuss the topic from two opposing sides with each team contesting the ideas proposed by the other. The purpose of a debate is to focus on fundamental questions and issues providing an opportunity for students to generate effective critical thinking into the primary issues related to the motion.

 

For which purposes is it used (why in your high school teaching) 

 

The purpose of a debate is to focus on fundamental questions and issues providing an opportunity for students to generate effective critical thinking into the primary issues related to the motion.

Why use Debate in the Classroom?

 

*Improve critical thinking skills	*Develop planning and logic thought
*Develop communication skills	*Improve research skills
*Improve ability to develop an argument	*Enhance teamwork and collaboration
*Develop skills of persuasion	*Improve ability to make reasoned, well-thought-out arguments
*Develop ability to synthesise information	*Improve skills of planning and preparation
*Provide opportunities to explore real-life problems and issues	*Develop listening and attention skills
*Develop ability to integrate knowledge	*Develop self-confidence and self-esteem
*Encourages empathy and open-mindedness	*Enhances creativity and innovation

 

Limitations
While debate can be a useful tool for problem-solving and decision-making, it also has some limitations. These include:

• Oversimplification: Debate can sometimes over-simplify complex problems as key issues are discussed in a short amount of time. It is important to ensure that there is follow up to the debate to clarify and to extend research and knowledge in key areas.
• Bias/Assumption: Debate is reliant on the input and perspective of the student from the proposing or opposing team. If the user has biases or makes assumptions, it can lead to misinforming or misleading others.
• Lack of context: Debate may sometimes lack context, particularly when it is used in isolation. It is important to use debate as one of a range of tools in learning about entrepreneurship and design thinking.
• Limited scope: Debate may only address the issues that are researched by students and may omit important information that might be overlooked.
• Time Consuming: Debate can be time-consuming as involves considerable time developing the skills of debating as well as researching and holding debates in schools and between schools. 

How to implement these technique/tools

The implementation of the debate technique typically involves the following steps: 

 

Preparation, before the session:

1. Define the problem statement: Familiarise with the motion for the debate.
2. Organise debate teams and establish a proposing team and opposing team for each debate.
3. Assign key roles within the teams – captain, speaker 1, speaker 2, substitutes, timekeeper, chairperson, researchers…
4. Research the topic / motion
5. Brainstorm the topic - Identify the key ideas / Record ideas / Consider from different viewpoints.
6. Collect factual evidence to back up arguments.
7. Prepare opening speech and speeches of speaker 2 and 3.
8. Plan rebuttals.

During the session:

9. Set up classroom debate.
10. Moderate the debate.

Follow-up up after the session:

11. Evaluation and follow up.
12. Review of learning.

Examples and/or testimonials

Check Appendix A for examples on topics and more details on the technique.

Sample Debate Rules

The Debating Team:

1. Each team has a panel of six students – 3 speakers & 3 substitutes.
2. Three speakers allowed per debate.
3. Other members of the team can take on tasks e.g. timekeeping, research assistants, subs etc.
4. Research assistants are not permitted to assist the speakers on the team during the debate.
5. One member of the team is nominated as the captain.
6. Students taking part may rotate speakers for each debate.

 

Speaking order

1. The captain of the proposition speaks first.
2. The captain of the opposition speaks second.
3. The second member of the proposition speaks next followed by the second member of the opposition.
4. The third speakers follow next.
5. Finally, the captains summarise - this time with the captain of the opposition summing up first and finishing the debate with captain of the proposition.
6. The chairperson is responsible for introducing each student to speak. We recommend that this role be given to a student.

The Captain’s role

1. The captain speaks twice and is responsible for introducing their team. There are different ways to start a speech, but the following is an example: “Chairperson, members of the audience, members of the opposition, we are here today to propose the motion that…”
2. The captain introduces the team, outlining the arguments that each member will talk about.

Tools needed

Research tools – research articles, newspapers, online tools…

Meeting tools: Zoom, Teams, Meet…

Classroom resources – paper, pens, flipchart, markers…

Information booklet on debating

Resources

Links:

• https://blog.kialo-edu.com/lesson-ideas/classroom-debate-ideas/
• https://www.practice-space.org/debate_guide/resource-13-debate-skill-drills-and-warm-ups/

Books:

• Information Booklet: Appendix A
• https://admin.concern.net/sites/default/files/documents/2019-03/primary_debates_handbook_2018_002.pdf

 

Appendix A

 

 

 

 

What is Debate?

 

Debate is an active learning tool that is used across many disciplines.

A Debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic in which opposing arguments are put forward. Participants discuss the topic from two opposing sides with each team contesting the ideas proposed by the other. The purpose of a debate is to focus on fundamental questions and issues providing an opportunity for students to generate effective critical thinking into the primary issues related to the motion.

 

 

What use Debate in the Classroom?

 

*Improve critical thinking skills	*Develop planning and logic thought
*Develop communication skills	*Improve research skills
*Improve ability to develop an argument	*Enhance teamwork and collaboration
*Develop skills of persuasion	*Improve ability to make reasoned, well-thought-out arguments
*Develop ability to synthesise information	*Improve skills of planning and preparation
*Provide opportunities to explore real-life problems and issues	*Develop listening and attention skills
*Develop ability to integrate knowledge	*Develop self-confidence and self-esteem
*Encourages empathy and open-mindedness	*Enhances creativity and innovation

 

Sample Debate Motions

 

• It is better to be an entrepreneur than an intrapreneur
• Not everyone can be an entrepreneur
• Skills are the key to successful entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurs are born and not made
• Entrepreneurship education is a waste of time
• You cannot teach someone to be an entrepreneur
• There are too many entrepreneurs in the world
• Entrepreneurship is not worth taking the risk
• Entrepreneurship education should be mandatory for all students
• Entrepreneurs should receive greater financial support from the government
• Entrepreneurship – it is not worth taking the risk!
• Everyone is a designer!
• Design thinking should be taught in all schools
• People are born design thinkers
• Design thinking is necessary for the 21^st century
• Design thinking is necessary for sustainability and climate action
• Design thinkers are changing the world for the better
• Is design thinking really the way forward?
• Is design thinking inclusive?
• We are all design thinkers!
• Design thinking can be taught to all students
• Design thinking is relevant to all subject areas
• Design thinking can unlock your creativity

 

Sample Debate Rules

 

The Debating Team:

Each team has a panel of six students – 3 speakers & 3 substitutes.

Three speakers allowed per debate.

Other members of the team can take on tasks e.g. timekeeping, research assistants, subs etc.

Research assistants are not permitted to assist the speakers on the team during the debate.

One member of the team is nominated as the captain.

Students taking part may rotate speakers for each debate.

 

Speaking order

The captain of the proposition speaks first.

The captain of the opposition speaks second.

The second member of the proposition speaks next followed by the second member of the opposition.

The third speakers follow next.

Finally the captains summarise -  this time with the captain of the opposition summing up first and finishing the debate with captain of the proposition.

The chairperson is responsible for introducing each student to speak. We recommend that this role be given to a student.

 

The Captain’s role

The captain speaks twice and is responsible for introducing their team. There are different ways to start a speech but the following is an example: “Chairperson, members of the audience, members of the opposition, we are here today to propose the motion that…”

 

The captain introduces the team, outlining the arguments that each member will talk about.

 

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