by Ronnie Dauber

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: November 03, 2009

Competitive debating is an excellent learning tool for several reasons as it involves the students directly in the lesson and forces them to research information to support their own point of view. It's a beneficial alternative to the normal classroom lesson because the students become part of the lesson and not part of the disinterested body that watches the teacher.

Today's world presents a very different pace for students than the one of just a few years ago. Many young people are electronically controlled by technical devices such as Ipods, MP3 Players, cell phones and even the Blackberry, to mention a few. Their minds are entangled with high-speed communication and almost anything else will be boring to them.

Many young students struggle within the classroom to focus their attention on lessons that don't apply to their new world. Teachers seem to speak right over their heads, and reading and homework assignments get issued but the students often have no interest because they cannot relate to the lesson being taught.

Since many students have become one with the technical instruments that they are addicted to, the teaching strategies should change for their better interests. And the most effective introduction to learning is getting them directly involved with the lesson.

Competitive debating allows the students to speak their minds on issues without being humiliated or ridiculed for their ideas or beliefs. It allows them to take stands or voice opinions without being wrong, while at the same time, learning about the issue being debated.

Not only does competitive debating give opportunity for withdrawn students to become actively involved, but it opens their ears to hear what others are saying. And it invites their minds to receive input and speak their own thoughts.

Standard classrooms are comprised of students of every class, culture and learning ability. Many students are uncomfortable with giving out answers when asked for fear of looking foolish and being mocked. Others know the answers and become self-righteous with their intelligence, and others don't even both to apply themselves.

When competitive debates are set up, all the students are involved whether they are sitting at the debating table or supporting their team from the floor. Suddenly, the lessons become opportunities to live what is being taught, and it captures their interests.

The debates will explore opinions, attitudes, right and wrong thinking, possibilities and even solutions to an otherwise dull subject. All the students are involved with the challenges presented and no one feels out of place or humiliated. It's an open discussion where all the facts are laid out and examined.

Competitive debating brings out reactions and imports suggestions on subjects in voice tones and manners that stay in the minds of the students. Once the subject is in their mind, they meditate on it whether they want to admit it or not. And that is the first step learning.

Competitive debating should be initiated in all the classrooms as a standard alternative to regular teaching. It grabs hold of the student's interest and gets them to open their minds to think, accept and react on what is being taught.

It may not have been the best teaching tool many years ago, but things have changed over the years. Today's students need to use their active minds in educational challenges so they can be encouraged to get involved and learn.

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