How can you use debates and discussions to make lectures more engaging?

Debates and discussions are a good way to make lectures more engaging. This is because it enables the students to participate in the lectures. Through debates and discussions, students would be able to get various opinions and ideas. They would be able to exchange ideas and opinions. Students would also have to understand their lessons in order to be able to debate or discuss the lectures. This is because if they don't, they wouldn't know what to say and how to debate or discuss.

As a lecturer, I believe that the lecturer should have the capacity to engage with students efficiently. To do that, the lecturer should understand the audience correctly and should be aware of the generation which he addresses. In this digital age, we have to deal with digital natives, and lecturers should have the full potential to enhance students' knowledge with the assistance of technology. In my case, I utilise various techniques, including websites like Kahoot, to make the learning environment more enjoyable. Most of the time, I practice doing the lectures in question forms, which makes students think outside of the box.

Start by explaining to the learners the rationale and procedure for using debate and discussion as a method of facilitating learning on a given topic. Then allow the learners to identify a theme/topic for the debate and discussion within the subject they're learning, and guide them to conduct the debate. As a facilitator make sure you be there to make clarifications during the debate or available for clarification during the discussion, because that's where real learning happens. At the end, ask questions to determine the learning that has taken place.

Debates and discussion can help you as a teacher to ensure that you have do ne your targets, goals and all information provided in lesson were understood. By discussion you can observe your students, who is having issues in understanding and which one want to be raised to higher levels faster.

When planning debates and discussions, you need to know what topics to choose. If you choose the wrong one, students wouldn't know how to debate and discuss it. You need to choose topics that are directly related to your lessons. This is so that your students can incorporate their knowledge into the debate and discussion. You also need to know how to assess them. This is so that you can gauge the level of their knowledge.

I usually use voting system before discussion, in voting system, you can recognise which part of the lecture is more debatable. Then put that part for discussion, using evidence based discussion not just loud voice. Then you can do another voting to see the final recommendations

Before starting a debate or discussion, provide clear guidelines and expectations to students. Outline the format, rules, and objectives of the activity to ensure everyone understands what is expected of them. Emphasize the importance of respectful and inclusive dialogue during debates and discussions. Encourage students to listen actively, consider different perspectives, and engage in constructive dialogue with their peers.

To plan a debate or discussion: following terms will be best to use.. Define objectives. Select a topic. Assign roles. Research and prepare. Establish ground rules. Organize the format. Facilitate the session. Reflect and debrief.

I find debates and discussions very inclusive. It gives participants an opportunity to seek clarification, share knowledge, perspectives and gain broader insights into the subject matter. However, it is important to moderate the narrative to avoid a breakdown of order, deviations and confusion. To ensure the debates and discussions stay on track, I tend to moderate the flow and keep directing them back to the subject matter. This tends to enrich the learning process and enrich the knowledge for participants.

You should facilitate the debates and discussions. This is to avoid any misunderstanding and so that they wouldn't divert from the original topic. You as the facilitator have to introduce the topic to them and tell them what they need to discuss about. You should also intervene when you find that they have diverted from the original topic. Try steering them back the right way. You should also let them know about the rules that you have set before the debate or discussion starts. This is so that they wouldn't end up breaking your rules.

Adding a competitive element to debates can make lectures more engaging by challenging students to think critically. Dividing students into groups and having them develop points for a debate encourages teamwork. After presenting their arguments, students vote on the most convincing points, except for their own group's. The extent to which the students take this task seriously always surprises me. This voting process keeps students engaged, The points can then be further discussed with the entire class.

First of all, I need to ensure a certain time duration for presentation and discussion or debate. Time management is critical. Besides, not to exceed the preset time limit, I will definitely share my e-mail or provide an online platform to discuss further. Whereas I need to appreciate all statements or questions, I need to be careful not to take them personally and to decide whether I can reply with adequate statement. If not, I would say, "I'm sorry. I cannot answer that question." Or I would say, "I'm sorry. I cannot make any comments on this." To avoid unnecessary meaningless conflicts, I'd rather ask the audience to make comments or answer the question. That way, I can advance my lecture further.

During debates or discussion you need to be a good observer, to protect your discussion from going to another subject which will not serve your goals. Another thing is that you need always to be neutral, so that you can detect all opinions and give chance for every one to participate. If any person felt that you defend his side, you will loose all your efforts