Active Debate (Stimulating Class Discussion)

OVERVIEW

A debate can be a valuable method for promoting thinking and reflection, especially if students are expected to take a position that may be contrary to their own. This is a strategy for a debate that actively involves every student in the class not just the debaters.

PROCEDURE

1.  Develop a statement that takes a position with regard to a controversial issue relating to your subject matter (e.g., “The media creates news rather than reports it.”)
2.  Divide the class into two debating teams. Assign (arbitrarily) the “pro” position to one group and the “con” position to the other.
3.  Next, create two to four subgroupings within each debating team. In a class of 24 students, for example, you might create three pro subgroups and three con subgroups, each containing four members. Ask each subgroup to develop arguments for its assigned position, or provide an extensive list of arguments they might discuss and select. At the end of their discussion, have the subgroup select a spokesperson.
4.  Set up two to four chairs (depending on the number of subgroups created for each side) for the spokespersons of the pro side and, facing them, the same number of chairs for the spokespersons of the  con side. Place the remaining students behind their debate team. For the preceding example, the arrangement will look like this:
X X
X X
X X
X pro X con
X pro X con
X pro X con
X X
X X
X X
Begin the “debate” by having the spokespersons present their views. Refer to this process as “opening arguments.”
5.  After everyone has heard the opening arguments, stop the debate and reconvene the original subgroups. Ask the subgroups to strategize how to counter the opening arguments of the opposing side. Again, have each subgroup select a spokesperson, preferably a new person.
6.  Resume the “debate.” Have the spokespersons, seated across from each other, give “counterarguments.”  As the debate continues (be sure to alternate between the two sides), encourage other students to pass notes to their debaters with suggested arguments or rebuttals. Also, urge them to cheer or applaud the arguments of their debate team representatives.
7.  When you think it appropriate, end the debate. Instead of declaring a winner, reconvene the entire class in a single circle. Be sure to integrate the class by having students sit next to people who were on opposite sides. Hold a classwide discussion on what students learned about the issue from the debate experience .Also, ask students to identify what they thought were the best arguments raised on both sides.

VARIATIONS

1.  Add one or more empty chairs to the debate teams. Allow students to occupy these empty chairs whenever they want to join the debate.
2.  Start the activity immediately with the opening arguments of the debate. Proceed with a conventional debate, but frequently rotate the debaters.

 

Back to Active Learning Home Page

Back to Home Page