Educational Issues Debate

University of Phoenix Material

Student Debate Procedures

Purpose

This debate is designed to help students make a more formal presentation about two sides of an issue. The presentation of an issue can often sway our opinions with the content or with the glamour, glitz, or professionalism of the presentation itself.

Students research a specific topic of their choice using University Library resources. Note that this debate is not about opinion, but about facts. Every point students debate must come from a source found in the University Library or from some other credible source.

Students must choose a relevant topic of interest and must perform research to answer a question about that topic. Students use this information to create a reference list that includes five references per team member that are consistent with APA guidelines.

Procedures for Online Debate

1. Students work in Learning Teams. Each Learning Team must present the pro and con side of the argument.

2. Each Learning Team picks one topic from the provided list of topics. Topics not on the list may be included if approved by the facilitator.

3. Learning Teams post their presentations with notes as Microsoft® PowerPoint® files in the Main forum.

4. Class members respond with questions about the issues.

5. Following the debate discussion, individuals post their responses to the debates in the University of Phoenix Material: Educational Issues Debate Review.

a. Content refers to the actual material that is debated. Answer the following question: Which team presented the best case based on research, material, and logic of presentation?

b. Format and presentation refers to readiness, to the ability to speak clearly, to preparation and organization, and to professionalism. Refer to the University of Phoenix Material: Educational Issues Debate Review.

6. Each group must submit its reference list. Each list must contain five references per team member.

Rules

· Everyone must participate in the preparation of his or her group's debate and in the rebuttal.

· The reference list must not contain duplicate sources.

· The reference list must be consistent with APA guidelines.

· The debate and rebuttal must not contain opinions. All issues brought up in the debate must originate from sources containing fact.

Possible Topics for Debate

The following is a list of possible topics for this debate. Students may select a topic not on this list with the approval of the facilitator.

7. Should a mandatory retirement age be established for employees of K–12 schools?

8. Should principals be required to take an in-depth ethics course before managing a school?

9. Should those convicted of a felony be barred from receiving teaching credentials?

10. Should both parents work full time when they have young children?

11. Should employees be banned from reporting their organization’s wrongdoings to authorities?

12. Should all tobacco-related advertising be banned?

13. Should property rights override environmental protection?

14. Should school unions continue to exist?

15. Should tenure for teachers and faculty be eliminated?

16. Should schools be allowed to use hidden cameras or other clandestine forms of observation in the classroom?

17. Have public schools adequately accommodated religion?

18. Can charter schools revitalize public education?

19. Should homework be abolished?

20. Does school violence warrant a zero-tolerance policy?

21. Do computers negatively affect students’ intellectual, creative, and social growth?

22. Would merit pay promote better teaching?