debate went great!

We're done (with the first talk)!  And it went well! What more could I ask for?  
(except for maybe a nap...).  

I wasn't sure how the debates would go and how involved people would get.  I was pretty impressed by how fired up students got defending their sides of the issue.  And I loved watching the "cattle" aka students in the audience listen to the arguments and change their minds throughout.  There were pretty convincing arguments from both sides and I had A LOT of trouble committing to a stance in both of the debates.  I guess that is usually how I am.  I tend to the see both sides in any situation and could argue either one.  It was interesting because in this situation that was kind of the point.

With our topics, the whole idea was about ethics and knowing where you stand on these issues.  Hopefully, it made people think and when the time comes for them to actually take a stance they will have the facts to make an informed decision.

All I wanted to do was go first and get it over with when we first got to class, but when the other team said they had a student set up in another room waiting for their presentation we agreed to go second.  I think it actually worked really well because we got people up and moving.  By that time in the class period everybody has been sitting for a while (even with the break) and I'm sure there was more than one person who had zoned out (not that I do that... ever!).  I think we brought everyone's attention back and the interaction really made people focus on the topic.  Sometimes, with these "think -pair- share" activities after everyone is tired and done paying attention there really isn't any incentive to participate.  You don't have to share when you are done, so you can just pretend to think and pair.  With the debate, you had to be prepared to actually present information, so there was some incentive and even urgency to prepare material and be ready to debate.

Overall, I was very happy with the debates, our team and our topic! Go Team Not Afraid! : )  

flipping the classroom

What is Flipping the Classroom?  Sounds dangerous... but I am sure if done correctly it could be done with no harm to anyone involved.

Initially, when I thought about this idea I saw the "flipping" as occurring between the teacher and the students.  I thought it was more about teachers stepping back and letting students dictate more of the learning and activities.  Now that we have talked a little more about it I understand it to be more about leaving the lectures/reading/content for outside of class and discussing, doing activities and assignments during class time.

I tend to agree that this is not a new concept, although the invention of powerpoint may have changed the face of it and it got a trendy new name.  I think some classrooms would definitely benefit from this and I think that quite a few classes (especially in some disciplines) have already been embracing this idea for years now.   I definitely think that some classes need a new idea if they are still assigning reading and then lecturing over the material during class time.  That is a waste of everyone's time! The classroom should be a place to discuss ideas with others and clear up confusion.

So, overall... good idea, but maybe with a little modifying.