DEMO: Teaching the 21st Century Student

4.3.3

Discussion web

What & Why

DISCUSSION WEB is a debating technique focused on cultivating argumentation skills in larger social set-ups. Two opinion groups take turns arguing over a binary question following a predefined set of rules. Opinion sides alternate in taking turns, students should not in- terrupt, and they learn to acknowledge their opponents’

arguments prior to raising their own. This method teaches patience, ac- tive listening, and the ability to react to opposing arguments through pair- ing contrasting arguments together. The discussion web usually works on a predefined set of rules:

Discussion web rules

1. No interruptions, one speaker speaks at a time. 2. Opinion sides strictly alternate. 3. Maximum one argument per turn. 4. Maximum 1 minute per turn. 5. Prior to introducing own argument, the opponent's argument should be rephrased. 6. Changing one's mind and migrating between groups is allowed.

How to set up The discussion web requires careful preparation and needs to be allocat- ed enough time. It is ideal to precede this speaking practice with a con- tent analysis related activity aimed at a binary problem (Ch. 3.4). The discussion web is not complicated in organization, but it requires intense moderation from the teacher. The preparation for the activity may extend over one or two teaching units. 1 The teacher introduces the dilemma, problem, or issue to be argued. 2 To develop a strong foundation of arguments for both opinion sides, as well as to handle larger group sizes, the participants are instruct- ed to collect points for arguments using the binary analysis T-graph (Ch. 3.4). The teacher guides the learners to make sure each argument on both sides of the graph links to a counter argument. The students

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