Forced Debate
Let students debate in pairs or smaller groups. Students must defend the opposite side of their personal opinion. It encourages them to step away from their own beliefs and teaches them to look through a different coloured glass once in a while.
On-campus
Variation: one half of the class takes one position, the other half takes the other position. Students line up and face each other. Each student may only speak once so that all students on both sides can engage in debate.
The activity takes a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes and could be done with maximum of 30 students. It could be used as a blended learning activity, when students have to prepare themself at home and process the information in class.
Manual
Supplies needed
- Statement(s) to debate
Set-up classroom
This learning activity could be done in different classroom set-ups. When organising a debate with the whole group, create plenty of space for the two seperate sides.
Optionally: Using a Teaching & Learning Lab could be suggested. When having a large amount of students, using a Learning Plaza could be suggested. These two types of classrooms have extensive capabilities in furniture use and classroom set-ups.
Step 1. (Preparation)
Come up with broad statements which evoke some sort of opinion.
Step 2. (During class)
Instruct students about the learning activity. Poll the initial opinions among students to create groups with different perspectives. Assign students to the opposing side of their own opinion.
Optional: When debating with a whole group, a jury could be appointed, consisting of a couple of students, to select a winner and to summarize the proposed arguments.
Step 3. (During class)
Let students debate the topic.
Step 4. (During class)
When the debate is finished, let the jury recite the main arguments and decide which side wins the debate.
Step 5. (Evaluation)
Give students key-notes to take –away.
Source
https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2018/06/20-interactive-teaching-activities-for-in-the-interactive-classroom
Online
The activity takes a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes and could be done with maximum of 30 students. It could be used as a blended learning activity, when students have to prepare themself at home and process the information in class.
Manual
Supplies needed
- Statement(s) to debate
- Microsoft Teams
Set-up classroom
Use Microsoft Teams to provide a classroom for students to attend their online class. Create multiple channels for students to use as a place to debate or create break-out rooms.
Optionally Using a Virtual Classroom could be suggested.
Step 1. (Preparation)
Come up with broad statements which evoke some sort of opinion.
Step 2. (During class)
Instruct students about the learning activity. Poll the initial opinions among students to create proper combinations. Assign students to the opposing side of their own opinion. And assign them to a channel.
Step 3. (During class)
Let students debate the topic.
Step 4. (During class)
When the debate is finished, let all students return to the main channel.
Step 5. (Evaluation)
Give students key-notes to take away.
Tools
Source
https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2018/06/20-interactive-teaching-activities-for-in-the-interactive-classroom
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