Debate


 * Debate**

Debates are formal, verbal presentations of opposing sides of an issue by two teams/individuals before an audience or judge. A debate follows a clearly defined format – for example, parliamentary conventions, who speaks first and last, how long each team speaks. Debates are used to strengthen and extend students’ understanding of an issue and to help students develop and demonstrate cognitive thinking, research, and public speaking skills. A level of expertise or comfort in a range of oral skills (logical argument, thinking quickly, clear expression of ideas and arguments) is required. Debates promote risk taking and problem solving, and can also be used to examine unfamiliar contexts or to explore a current or historical social issue in depth. Students are likely to analyse information more carefully if they are required to provide proof to substantiate their arguments.
 * Description**

The teacher:
 * Method**
 * pre-teaches debating skills and structures;
 * identifies and assigns roles;
 * ensures students understand the nature of argumentation and varied argumentation structures such as logical syllogisms and fallacies;
 * emphasizes the difference between challenging ideas and challenging people/personalities.

Debates:
 * Considerations**
 * should not be used until the classroom comfort level has been established;
 * require a clear understanding of the value of positive versus negative argumentation;
 * require an awareness of sensitive, shy, or reticent students;
 * are usually moderated by the teacher.


 * Illustrations From The Mathematics Classroom

Elementary Under construction. Please make a contribution.

Under construction. Please make a contribution. **
 * Secondary**