Assessing the Debate

Introduction

You are a part of a global effort to increase access to education and empower students through “open pedagogy.”  Open pedagogy is a “free access” educational practice that places you – the student – at the center of your own learning process in a more engaging, collaborative learning environment.  The ultimate purpose of this effort is to achieve greater social justice in our community in which the work can be freely shared with the broader community.  This is a renewable assignment that is designed to enable you to become an agent of change in your community through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  For this work, you will integrate the disciplines of Education; Psychology to achieve SDG #4: Quality Education. 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to be a Globally Informed Citizen, also known as being an Average Reasonable Voter. Criteria of a Globally Informed Citizen are:

• Thoroughly understands the rules of Australasian Parliamentary Debating
• Reads the news regularly, know headlines
• Assesses the debate as it is conveyed. Do not rebut or complete the debaters’ arguments in your head. And not putting in specific or expert knowledge in the assessment of the debate
• Also needs the ability to think, and not be mindless reviewers. You are allowed to discredit nonsensical facts

Purpose/Rationale

• Critical Thinking and Analysis: Debates encourage students to critically evaluate different perspectives on societal issues, fostering a deeper understanding of complex topics and enhancing their ability to analyze information.
• Informed Citizenship: Engaging in debates helps students become more informed citizens, understanding the implications of policies and decisions, and fostering a sense of civic responsibility.
• Engagement and Participation: Debating cultivates a sense of engagement in civic affairs, motivating students to participate in community discussions, vote, and potentially get involved in activism or public service.

• Research Skills: Debates require thorough research, enhancing students’ ability to gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from diverse sources.
• Communication Skills: Debating sharpens verbal and written communication skills, as students learn to present arguments clearly and persuasively.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Many debates involve teamwork, helping students learn to collaborate, share responsibilities, and build consensus.
• Enhanced Learning: The process of debating deepens understanding of academic subjects, as students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

• Public Speaking and Presentation: Debates develop public speaking skills, which are crucial in many careers for presentations, pitches, and negotiations.
• Persuasion and Negotiation: The art of persuasion is honed through debating, a valuable skill in fields such as law, business, sales, and politics.
• Problem-Solving: Debating encourages creative and strategic thinking, essential for solving problems and making decisions in the workplace.
• Professional Confidence: The confidence gained from debating can translate into greater self-assurance in professional settings, leading to better job performance and career advancement.

• Self-Confidence: Successfully articulating and defending a viewpoint can boost self-esteem and confidence in personal interactions.
• Empathy and Understanding: Debating different viewpoints foster empathy and a better understanding of others’ perspectives, improving personal relationships and social interactions.
• Conflict Resolution: Skills learned in debating, such as active listening and respectful discourse, are invaluable for resolving personal conflicts constructively.
• Lifelong Learning: The habit of staying informed and critically evaluating information developed through debating can lead to a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.

Instructions

• Select a recorded debate or a live debate session. The debate should cover a topic relevant to your course or of significant interest in the fields of psychology, civic issues, or any academic discipline you are studying.

• Watch the entire debate carefully. Take detailed notes on each debater’s arguments, evidence presented, rhetorical strategies, and overall delivery.

• Argument Quality
  • Clarity: Were the arguments clearly presented and easy to follow?
  • Relevance: Were the arguments relevant to the debate topic?
  • Strength: How strong and convincing were the arguments?
  • Logical Coherence: Were the arguments logically structured and free from fallacies?
• Use of Evidence
  • Supporting Evidence: Was evidence provided to support the arguments?
  • Source Credibility: Were the sources of evidence credible and reliable?
  • Integration: How well was the evidence integrated into the arguments?
• Rhetorical Strategies
  • Persuasion Techniques: What rhetorical devices were used (e.g., ethos, pathos, logos)?
  • Effectiveness: How effective were these strategies in persuading the audience?
  • Emotional Appeal: Was there an appropriate use of emotional appeal?
• Presentation Skills
  • Delivery: How effective was the delivery (tone, pace, volume, clarity)?
  • Body Language: Was body language used effectively to enhance arguments?
  • Engagement: How well did the debaters engage with the audience and each other?
• Counterarguments and Rebuttals
  • Addressing Opposing Views: How well did the debaters address and counter opposing arguments?
  • Responsiveness: Were the debaters responsive to their opponents’ points?
  • Effectiveness of Rebuttals: How effective were the rebuttals in weakening the opposing arguments?

• Introduction
  • Introduce the debate topic and the participants.
  • Provide a brief overview of the main arguments presented by each side.
• Body
  • Argument Quality: Analyze the quality of the arguments presented by each debater.
  • Use of Evidence: Evaluate the use of evidence in supporting the arguments.
  • Rhetorical Strategies: Discuss the rhetorical strategies used and their effectiveness.
  • Presentation Skills: Assess the presentation skills of each debater.
  • Counterarguments and Rebuttals: Examine the handling of counterarguments and rebuttals.
• Conclusion
  • Summarize your overall assessment of the debate.
  • Provide a final evaluation of which debater was more effective and why.
  • Offer constructive feedback on areas for improvement for each debater.

• Submit your written assessment by the due date. Ensure your assessment is well-organized, clearly written, and free from grammatical errors.

Format Requirements

• An argumentative essay is a type of writing that requires the author to investigate a topic, collect and evaluate evidence, and establish a clear position on that topic. The primary goal of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to accept or consider the writer’s viewpoint as valid and well-supported by logic and evidence.
• Requirements: write at max1000 words, submit in a pdf format.

• The poster consists of a visual communication method used by debater to present their position on a selected motion to an audience. It typically involves a large, printed poster displayed on a board to be presented to the audience to persuade them to accept or consider the debater’s viewpoint as valid and well-supported by logic and evidence.
• Requirements: 1 page poster, Effective use of colors, fonts, and layout to make the poster visually appealing and easy to read; Information is presented in a clear and logical order, with concise text and informative visuals; Use of images, graphs, charts, and diagrams to illustrate key points and make complex data easier to understand.

• A video debate is a structured speech from a student who present their reasons in assessing the debate on a specific motion or issue, conducted through video format. This type of video is pre-recorded and can be shared via online platforms, social media, or broadcast media.
• Requirements: length duration it has to be exactly 15 minutes; High-quality video and audio are essential to ensure clear communication and engagement.