Using Debates to Teach Evidence-based Reasoning

An exciting way to engage your students in their online or in-person class is to use a topic that sparks discussion, research, and the desire to sleuth out additional information. In this 1.5 hr. workshop, teachers will participate in an asynchronous debate (such as a posted homework assignment) and synchronous debate for use during an in-class activity or Zoom meeting. We will use a topic that allows teachers of any subject area to join in making claims supported with evidence and reasoning so they can experience first-hand how motivating this teaching technique can be. Participants will receive concrete ways to help students prepared successfully for a debate with research and cited sources and learn a method to continue the acquisition of knowledge during the event.