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Re: Measuring Education [was Re: SSDS B.S.]

William E Newnam wrote:

> > Additionally, it is my opinion that the current style of CEDA debate on
> > "face value" will not appear to be "educational" to many of our colleagues
> > outside the debate arena (in fact, it doesn't appear educational to
> > many people who are in debate).  For example, rapid delivery with one's
> > face buried in one's cards "on face" does not lead one to believe that we
> > are teaching public speaking skills.
> 
> The problem, I think, is in allowing us to focus on the discreet
> debate as
> representative of what debate "teaches."  A single debate, or a single
> debate speech, or a single debater, does not represent the collective
> wisdom of four or five years of debating.  Just as I would not want to
> bring someone into a medical school where young doctors are learning
> human
> anatomy by working on cadavers and say, "see how brilliantly we are
> teaching these doctors to be surgeons" I would not say, here come
> watch
> these debaters "practicing" argument, speech, and research in this
> debate
> and expect others to comprehend their effects.

We run again into what Bill mentioned in some earlier posts.  There are
people on both sides of the fence of issues such as speed--and some of
the "non-speed" folk are now in administrative positions.  One thing to
remember is that many administrators (and some department chairs such as
Bill) are old DOF's, who are used to older, slower styles of debate. 
Jeff, I think, does raise an issue that is important in the academy. 
Take my old school, for instance.  My Provost and President (!) were
college debaters, and the Provost is a former DOF.  He is used to
slower-style debate, and sees little relevance in new-style debate.  He
does not like to see, nor judge, new style (i.e., speed, kritiks, etc.)
debate.  I can assure you he is not alone.  While an administrator may
well understand the importance of debate, that doesn't mean they have to
give money to a type of debate they don't like.  

The issue I think Jeff, Steve Hunt and others raise is valuable -- how
do we, in times of shrinking college budgets, continue to justify debate
as an activity worthy or support, and how do we, as coaches and DOF's,
find a way that takes into account the many hours of coaching, travel,
etc. and maintain ourselves as a vital part of academia.
How we justify debate is of great importance now perhaps more than ever.

Michael Dreher
outgoing DOF, Palm Beach Atlantic College
incoming DOF, Bethel College (MN)

Reply to: mdreher@worldnet.att.net
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