- D.A.T.C
“If debating is a way to improve inner city schools, it’s only reaching a small number of students. One answer is to introduce it into every classroom so kids would debate the pros and cons of a piece of literature, or a scientific theory…[a] vehicle to refocus their energy from destructive to constructive.”
Angelo Brooks, CBS 60 Minutes,
Overview
The
goal of Debate Across the Curriculum (DAC) is to provide the benefits of debate
to a broader base of students than those interested in competing on
their debate team. DAC brings the educational tool of debate into the
classroom, whether in science, music & art, math, social studies,
humanities, or any other academic field. All academic disciplines have theories or paradigms that are
open to debate, making them fertile grounds for active student learning.
While
a history class might debate the causes of the Civil War, an art class
might debate the aesthetic effects of particular color selections. Science
classes might examine the influence of environmental factors on the
spread of asthma, while English courses might debate the role of a character
or theme in a novel.
DAC presents debate as a means that teachers
of all subjects can use to better involve their students in learning. Debate’s success at improving research skills,
analytical thinking, organization, and oral presentation are all factors
that can improve student performance in all classrooms. Debate requires the students to examine the
material at a deeper level, given the anticipation that rather than
simply parrot back information, students will actually have to defend
the stance they take on class material.
Program Implementation
The
faculty and staff of the National Debate Project teach workshops to
principals and teachers to demonstrate how to implement Debate Across the Curriculum. The workshops
are hands-on in the sense that they have the participants experience
debates in an effort to have them understand the expectations and anxieties
that the students may feel in such a program.
The
National Debate Project has conducted Debate Across the Curriculum training for the teachers and/or principals of
Teaching and Learning
National Debate Project Capacity Building Institute for Administrators and Teachers
The NDP offers training for interested program administrators, teachers, and coaches in its Capacity Building Institute held each summer in one week, and more intensive two week summer residential and commuter programs. Housed on the Emory University campus, the program features faculty and staff from Georgia State, Emory, Tennessee State and other seasoned university consultants from the urban debate network. The institute provides training in argumentation, computer research, oral communication, debate across the curriculum, tournament and league administration, and assessment, for both new and experienced league leaders. A practicum for participants with urban debate students engaged in their own training programs allows teachers and administrators to work in an active learning environment. Held in summer 2009 (specific dates forthcoming) one fee covers materials, instruction, housing, meal plan, and the practicum program. Graduate academic credit is also available for the training program through either Georgia State or Emory.
National Debate Project Capacity Building Consultation Services
The NDP provides on-going consultation services for interested program administrators, teachers, and coaches. Consultants operate on-site, or bring interested participants for work in the various programs operating in Atlanta for hands-on training. Services include close advising and training for tournament tabulations, school system relations, community partner development, grant solicitation, assessment protocol development and partnership, debate across the curriculum training for entire secondary school faculties, after school program templates, and other aspects of league advancement. An individualized plan can be developed in consultation with appropriate local actors to maximize the success of a particular urban education initiative.
International Reach
Internationally NDP consultants have conducted debate across the curriculum
trainings at the Korean Development Institute Graduate School for Public Policy and Business Management, the Graduate Division of International Studies, Ewha University, Seoul, and for the Korean Debate Association at Kyung Hee University.
