Tim Neumann has kindly provided an example on running a live online debate with 2 groups on Moodle. The example provided below substitutes an asynchronous discussion forum for the live debate and includes a potential setup for when there are more than two debate groups. Aim and description The aim is to have students practice their critical thinking, persuasive writing, group work and communication skills. Students are divided into groups “For” and “Against” and are assigned to a thesis statement to debate in a discussion forum. Suggested assessment Student groups are assessed on their understanding of the thesis statement, presentation of their argument, and group work. Students are also assigned to one debate to read, and vote pre and post debate. Actions Required by Learner Critically analyse thesis statement from an assigned point of view; develop arguments and anticipate counterarguments. Organise argument structure and order of speaking. Take turns in Groupsgroups, posting to the forum opening arguments, followed by speaker arguments, and finally closing arguments. Actions Required by Tutor(s) - Organise Debate Groupsdebate groups:
- Assign students to Debate Groupsdebate groups, one for each thesis statement, in which students are allocated to “For” or “Against”. Create a Moodle Group for each Debate Group; include for and against students in the same group.
- Assign each Debate Groupdebate group another debate to view/follow as an audience.
- Post an announcement with Group group information, you might want to summarise Group group allocations in a table.
- Create Debate Groups in Moodle:
- Name Groups by Thesis Statement;
- Include “For” and “Against” students in the one group.
- Create Advanced Forum for Practice:
- Forum Type: Standard forum for general use;
- Group Mode: Separate Groups;
- Create Advanced Forum for the debate:
- Description: Include list of groups and thesis statements, and a summary of debate format;
- Forum Type: Standard forum for general use;
- Set Discussion locking to one week;
- Group Mode: Visible Groups;
- Set Restrict Access to Date you want forum to be released.
- Prepare Debate Forum:
- Create one Topic Discussion for each debate contribution, e.g. Opening Statements, Speaker 1, Speaker 2, Speaker 3, and Closing Statements (select option to copy to all groups).
- Create Polls (pre and post debate):
- For small number of groups: Create two Choice activities for each debate.
- For larger cohorts and multiple groups: Create two Opinio Polls which allow student to specify the debate they are voting on and their vote. Add the poll URLs to Moodle.
- Release pre poll.
- Release post poll after the debate concludes (either manually or with Restrict Access).
- Moderate Debatedebate:
- Announce the start of the debate(s) and encourage students to complete pre-poll.
- Check in periodically to make sure debate(s) are progressing.
- Announce the end of the debate(s), encourage students to complete post poll, and to read other group debates.
- Announce the debate winners.
- Grade Group debate e.g. Excel rubric which is then uploaded to students and/or peer feedback using Opinio.
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