Connecting competition and education: A critical examination of the role of the ballot in debate education

Session Submission Type: Panel Discussion

Abstract

Competitive debate teaches valuable skills that are not available in the classroom. There is a close connection between the skills that debate teaches and the proclaimed goals of our educational institutions; however, competition provides the students with extended opportunity to test their knowledge, reasoning and communication skills in a way not practical for the standard classroom. Where a student in a debate or speaking class might prepare and deliver three or four speeches in a term, competition provides the student the opportunity to develop and defend their ideas six to ten times in a weekend, repeatedly over the term. Furthermore, debate is a successful method of teaching because of its inherently interactive format. Research has demonstrated that interactive formats are the preferred method for achieving critical thinking, problem solving ability, higher level cognitive learning, attitude change, moral development, and communication skill development. Ideally, the educational benefits of debate competition are maximized by: first, a trained and experienced communication professional (coach) to guide the students in preparation and improvement of their debate skills; second, by debate rounds judged by a communication professional in the forensics community, and last, by extensive criticism and feedback that is measured against established educational standards. The ballot is the tool that links these three together. This panel provides both descriptive and prescriptive conclusions about the role and utility of the debate ballot in supporting and enhancing the educational benefits of competitive debate. Questions regarding the consistency, completeness, and immediacy of the feedback provided by the ballots are addressed by the panelist through analysis of ballots and balloting practices.

Sub Unit

• Argumentation and Forensics Division

Chair

• Esther L. Rumsey, Sul Ross State University

Session Organizer

• Esther L. Rumsey, Sul Ross State University