English Debateswith help from ICT tools…

Traditional Format

Proposition vs. Opposition

Speakers vs. Audience

Questions from “floor” at the end

Limitations

Easy for audience to “switch off” (lack of engagement).

Focus seems to be on speakers, not content/topic.

Points made earlier often forgotten by the time questions are open to the floor.

Teacher as moderator.

Changes:

Debates carried out as per normal.

Each student has access to computer.

Comments/questions to direct to specific teams/speaker.

Addressed during Q&A session

Pairing with ICT

http://en.linoit.com/

Improvements

Students feel empowered to raise questions (more engaged).

Allow students to focus on content/topic rather than just be influenced by presentation.

Questions can be immediately typed in, addressed later

Teacher as Facilitator, students self-moderate.

Sharing of learning points.

Learning outside curriculum/school.

Ownership of learning.

Other examples and takeaways:

Common Myths

I’m using ICT… I use a computer, slides on PowerPoint, place my worksheets online!

This generation of students are wired differently! They can multi-task effectively!

ICT is too difficult. The “younger” ones will definitely do better.

a.k.a. “barriers to entry” in economic terms…