This study examined the effects of response time and message content on the growth patterns of discussion threads in computer-supported collaborative argumentation. Event sequence analysis was used to measure response times between threaded messages and responses containing arguments, evidence, critiques, evaluations, and other comments from…

When colleges were first organized in what would later become the United States, they were far different from those in existence today. Students matriculated, enrolled, and graduated in lock step through a prescribed 4-year curriculum. Colleges functioned not so much to encourage intellectual development as to foster moral piety. Topics and sides…

This article describes a teaching experiment in Finland to develop critical thinking and argumentation skills in a university course using both face-to-face and e-mail settings. Subjects (n=49) were advanced students of education and three faculty members. All students received two lectures on argumentation and packages of argumentative writings…

This paper attempts to survey some of the activities that fall under the umbrella of "debate" at Hong Kong University by focusing on a variety of disparate practices across the university, ranging from one-to-one argument to legal moots, from informal classroom discussions to departmental and cross-faculty debating events and…

Of interest to curriculum developers, the materials in this paper pertain to the communication component of the prelaw curriculum initiated in the 1979-80 school year at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The materials include (1) a brief decription of the prelaw program; (2) information sheets for students considering the program;…

A survey of 80 department chairpersons, directors of forensics, and debate coaches indicated an increased use of nontraditional, audience-centered debate paradigms since the National Developmental Conference on Forensics issued its report advancing alternative debate options during the 1970s. Report recommendations on expanding the role of…

In order to make informed voting decisions citizens need background information on complex foreign policy issues facing the United States. This guide presents current issues and provides information to help citizens cast a thoughtful vote. The guide is divided into six main headings: Leadership; Security; Economic and Social Issues; Critical…

For ease of presentation, advanced grammar teaching techniques are briefly considered under the headings of structuralism (belief in the effectiveness of presenting grammar rules) and contextualism (belief in the maximum use by students of what they know in the target language). The structuralist's problem of establishing a syllabus is discussed…

This annotated guide to resources in speech communication will be valuable for K-12 teachers seeking resources for both required and elective units. Entries are organized by grade level within the various content areas and are grouped under the following section headings: print, nonprint, multimedia, and major sources. Within each of these four…

This revised curriculum guide was prepared to help speech teachers and administrators gain greater sensitivity to the importance of speech education in the curriculum and to provide a digest of the characteristics and instructional practices which could contribute to superior speech education programs. The topics of the first nine chapters are…

This annotated bibliography lists and discusses 28 books on forensics, debate, argumentation, discussion, and public speaking. The books cover various topics in oral communication for secondary and college level study. (CH)

The purpose of this monograph is to present a five step paradigm for the secondary school teacher on how to employ debate as a teaching tool: 1) basic idea of what debate is and the objective of formal debate; 2) the role of the affirmative and negative in presenting cases; 3) the function and purpose of the rebuttal period; 4) information on the…

Both sides of the divestment controversy are presented by two trustees from Carleton College and actions that Carleton finally took are explained. Morgan calls for divestment, while Trow sees colleges as committed to the pursuit of truth, not the possessor. (MLW)

Presents a method to teach science, technology, and society issues under an extra credit format. Describes a seven-stage format for the choice, debate, and evaluation of an issue by the students. Stresses the value of this project in terms of increased student skills and awareness. (CW)

Describes a four- to six-week minicourse featuring topics from language arts, law, history, sociology, mathematics, art, and woodworking in addition to botany, zoology, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Student study is divided into five phases: tree-ring analysis; forest history; seedling competition; genetic improvement and cloning; and a…