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Re: Speed

>>>>>>>
> I expect that if I am going to spend my time
>working with students to learn, they should learn principles of
>communication that are useful beyond the debate world.
>Obviously some
>people disagree and feel that the game is worthwhile playing just
>because it
>is exceiting.  I can buy this argument, but I always felt that I was
doing
>something more than athletic coaches were, at least I want to.  
>>>>>>>
If your students truly want to learn about communication then they 
should take a basic communication class.  If they want to compete then 
they can do individual events.  The fact is debate has evolved into a 
game in which you should use all of your talents and skills to win.
To an extent, athletic coaches teach their students something.  And
there is something more to debate that can be applied to life. 
Critical thinking and even public speaking are promoted through debate.

>>>>>>>
>Besides, if
>debate is merely a game, it isn't a very good one.  It's hard to keep
score
>and not attractive to a general audience.  If peope who encourage
speed
>delivery do so on the grounds that debate is just a game, I don't
really
>have a problem with that position.  I however believe that it is an
>extension on my classroom and is more like a exercise.  I use the
>competition to motivate my students to do their best.  I would like
that
>"best" to allow them to be effective communicators to more than just
expert
>critics.
>>>>>>>
First I would say that the really awesome teams can slow down for
certain judges and pick up the ballots very easily.  If Jason and I
think you can take a good flow and we aren't advised to do otherwise we
will go fast and try to use our skills to win.  If we are told to go
slow we will play that game too. The point being that they should learn
both sides of debate.  That way they can be the best they can be.  They
should learn to go slow for communication and for certain judges and
they should also learn to go fast and be competitive.  Moreover I don't
think motivating students to do debate is a problem.  I came in this
year having only done L-D in high school, which everybody knows is far
from fast, and I wanted to learn how to do this type of debate and
learn to speak fast.  So as long as your students want to do the
activity I don't think motivation is a problem.  The point of
competition is to win, and I think that people should use whatever
tools necessary to do so.

Later,
Don Baker
Bakersfield College
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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