The objective of the research presented here was to study the influence of two types of instruction for using an argumentation diagram during pedagogical debates over the Internet. In particular, we studied how using an argumentation diagram as a medium of debate compared to using an argumentation diagram as a way of representing a debate. Two…

This article focuses on issues related to boys, literacies, and schooling as played out in the Australian context. It reflects on the swathe of populist discourse centring on boys, and on literacy, that drives a potentially divisive education agenda. In providing more nuanced analyses of the debates surrounding the disputed territory of boys,…

In this case study, based on the reported rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in April 2005, students examine a real-world example of the scientific process and explore the practical implications of their conclusions. The case tells the story of Brad Murky, a student and research assistant who must decide whether the available evidence is…

A study investigated the extent to which forensic judges used educational comments when writing ballots. A total of 140 informative speaking ballots were collected from tournaments in Mississippi, Colorado, and Arkansas. After the ballot comments were sorted into five categories (basic comments, educational comments, descriptive comments, personal…

A study analyzed the delivery of dabaters participating in the final rounds of the CEDA (Cross Examination Debate Association) National Tournament from 1989-1991. Transcripts of the final rounds were used to determine the words-per-minute and the number of pieces of evidence read per speech. Three statistical measures were used to analyze the…

The philosophy behind competitive debate is to teach students the art of rational discourse with emphasis on correct use of evidence, analysis of argument, logical thinking and persuasive delivery. Although ethics help define the goals of the activity, the extreme competitiveness of intercollegiate debate threatens to undermine the principles of…

There is a growing dichotomy between the educational value of forensics versus the competitive aspects of individual events for both coaches and students. Competitive behavior has both an instinctual and a cognitive source. The instinctual source can be traced to evolution in a fiercely competitive world. Psychoanalytic theory suggests that the…

A number of unique challenges face the spouse of a forensic educator, including the possibility of becoming a forensic widow/widower. The job of a forensics coach is all-encompassing and requires endless hours of dedication, drive, and driving. Trying to keep up on all of the required duties is very time consuming and leaves little time for…

Intercollegiate forensics has been shown to provide extensive added value to its participants regardless of whether the student stresses debate, individual events, or both. Of the individual event genres, only the limited preparation events have not been distinguished by their content goals. Most textbooks consider impromptu and extemporaneous…

The amount of tournament competition in American forensics should be reduced and replaced with community-centered, audience-involving, service-oriented activities. Many forensics educators are distressed with the direction tournament debate has taken. It is increasingly insular, particularized, and isolated from the mainstream of campus life.…

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing tournament directors wishing to provide a balance between individual events and debate is an equitable overall sweepstakes formula. One such formula, modified from a methodology initially developed in response to a need at the Missouri Association of Forensic Activities (MAFA) intercollegiate…

The Northwest Forensic Conference (NFC) was created in response to decreasing budgets and fewer schools participating in forensics. The basis of the NFC is the designated tournament and yearly divisional sweepstakes awards. Special features of designated tournaments include oral critiques and seminars on forensic issues. Initially, it was assumed…

The eight articles in this collection deal with various aspects of cross examination debate and with the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA). Topics discussed in the articles include: (1) the philosophy and development of the CEDA, (2) the relationship of the CEDA with the National Debate Topic (NDT), (3) an intercultural approach to value…

The debate presented in these two articles is one in a continuing series of articles on important topics of concern to art education; in this issue two art teachers commented on the state of art teacher associations, especially the National Art Education Association. (Editor/RK)

Suggests college debate teams can be used to study small group communication. (CH)