Attached are three documents related to the technological debate unit that I wrote about yesterday. #1 DEBATE ESSAYS This is my substitute assignment while I am attending the ITEA conference each year. We discuss the assignment prior to my leaving. I reiterate that these essays are their opinions. We review the process for writing a 5 paragraph essay. I remind the students that it is necessary for them to finish this assignment before we can begin the actual debates. (The students look forward to this unit.) <> #2 DEBATE INFORMATION POWERPOINT After dividing the class into groups of 2 (versus 2 other students), we review the information in this PowerPoint presentation. This explains the procedure that we will follow for the debate. It also outlines the materials that the student must generate prior to the debate. (I attempted to send this information a few minutes ago, but I exceeded the size allowed by the list serve, so I removed the background. Use your imagination and add your favorite background!!) <> #3 DEBATE EVALUATION This is the form that I use to evaluate the students' presentations. I try to keep the grading procedure as objective as possible. I give 10 bonus points to each group that "dresses professionally" when they participate in the debate. (You would have to know the student body here to truly appreciate how nice the kids "clean up".) <> I make a point not to express my personal views and opinions until after the student debates. If both groups use the maximum amount of time for each part of the debate, a debate will last about 40 minutes (38 to be exact). Following the debate we have a group discussion in which students make intelligent, informed comments. Angela Powell Morrow High School