Indicates that political debates on computer bulletin boards (primarily USENET) are characterized by aggressiveness, angry assertion, insult, and the attempt to humiliate opponents; but that they also display a high degree of formal regularity and are robust exercises in free speech, virtuosic in argument and language, and rare opportunities for…

Discusses a small group debate technique that can be utilized in any classroom that includes controversial topics. Explains the technique prepares students to give presentations. Includes information on the method, topic selection, group formation, debate location, group interaction, concerns with teacher supervision, student outlines, and…

Examines issue-learning outcomes in three intra-party political debates during the 1984 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Finds significant viewer learning about the issue positions of each participating candidate, about most issues, and among all categories of viewers. (KEH)

Examines how the timing of Virginia's Ratification Convention twisted the principles of presumption and burden of proof in favor of the Federalists. Applies Richard Whately's rhetorical constructs to actual debates to analyze rhetorical strategies and voting behavior. Argues the need to modify the meaning of presumption and burden of proof. (KEH)

Describes a design for a computer-based environment to assist students in conducting dialectical activities of constructing, comparing, and evaluating arguments for competing scientific theories. (ZWH)

Examines teaching women's literature to students who are not habitual readers. Explains that two teachers addressed the problem by dividing class time into (1) an introductory minilecture; (2) an "initial reaction" discussion; (3) student oral performances; and (4) a final, synthesizing debate. Suggests means of moving students beyond…

Offers seven reflections on the First Amendment and related issues by attorneys, a professor, project directors, and a university president. Highlights an activity where pairs of students prepare either a pro or con argument for each of the seven excerpts and then participate in a debate. (CMK)

Describes the "Running for Elected Office" simulation that enables undergraduates to gain knowledge of the campaign process. Students assume the roles of candidates, staffers, or journalists undertaking a ten-week campaign. Discusses the general structure of weekly events, special events, student evaluation of the simulation, problems, and the…

Advocates using debate with F.R. Stockton's "The Lady, or the Tiger" to sharpen critical skills in literary interpretation. Poses a series of questions at five-minute intervals and sets up an affirmative and a negative side on which students debate the next day. Suggests also debating on literary values, an author's intentions, etc. (PA)

Refutes the claim that top-rated programs in library science tend to maintain and enhance their reputation by hiring their own and each other's graduates and that this pattern of inbreeding was likely to be harmful to the field. Concludes convincing evidence was not provided and the true situation may be other than claimed. (PEN)

The decision whether to keep or to change a university's nickname is an "intense no-win situation" for a new president. To some, the name is racist and insensitive; to others, it reflects great pride and tradition.

The debate format as discussed here is built around the theory that the teacher can increase the benefits of the traditional lecture format by using debate as a complementary tool and by fully integrating the two formats. The aim of the authors' integrative approach runs on two levels: one is to make debate a streamlined, integral part of course…

In this article, the author discusses the implications of articles by Louise Chawla (1998) and Karen Malone (1999a) for "doing research." One of the most interesting implications of these two papers for environmental education research is the issues they raise about the challenges for environmental education researchers and education researchers…

The students, who debate develop the skills of critical learning, argumentation and presentation quickly. A high school teacher illustrates the way she combined essay writing and debate to address a range of language arts standards and also help students become better-informed participants in a democracy.

This article presents an open letter to the Professional Communities of Australian Council for Computers in Education (ACCE). In preparing for this article, the author looked back over the contributions of other fellows in publications and ACCE Minutes, and recognized that each had led the ACCE family in this endeavor. Creating direction was the…