ERIC Number: ED276081
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1985-Aug
Pages: 6
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Debate Coach and the Debate Teacher: Friends or Foes?
Unger, James J.
College summer institutes should be allowed to coach high school debaters on the current high school debate topic. Every individual forensic practice must be viewed as part of a dynamic process, the totality of which ought to be assessed for its competitive and educational balances. The activity of debate becomes endangered not when students allow competitive motivation to coexist with educational achievement, but when the total process no longer produces educational benefits. The fundamentals of forensics should be introduced during the school year, allowing summer institutes to provide advanced courses that build upon these basics. Furthermore, the conduct of summer institutes can only reflect that of competitive forensics contests held during the school year. The following policy positions are appropriate for high schools and summer forensic institutions: (1) the word "allowed" should be rejected from the issue--workshops may teach whatever they choose; (2) teaching and coaching should be balanced in summer institutes; (3) educators must strive to improve the level of instruction in the fundamentals of debate in the high school; (4) any assessment of summer institutes must include a sound appreciation of their inherent weaknesses; and (5) both parties should strive for both excellent teaching and coaching throughout the year. (JD)
Publication Type: Opinion Papers; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A