Debate as a learning tool in an online environment

Abstract

Debate offers an opportunity to increase student interaction and develop critical thinking and presentation skills. The investigators used an online debate during a first-semester Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) course. The purpose of this evaluation was to 1) evaluate the feasibility of conducting a live-streamed debate and 2) assess students' perceived gained skills. Student pairs were assigned to speak for or against a statement applicable to professional practice of a DNP-prepared nurse approximately 4 weeks before the scheduled debates. During the debate, each pair presented opening arguments, formulated and presented a rebuttal, and provided closing statements. The faculty debriefed immediately after each debate, and all 15 students completed an online instrument evaluating perceived critical thinking and presentation skills after the debate. Completing the live-stream online debate was feasible. Students had statistically significant increases in skills of applying literature to support a position, defending a position, and predicting and countering opposing arguments, self-assurance in delivering a professional presentation, and establishing and persuading the listener with credibility. Skills not demonstrating statistical improvement included selecting, analyzing, and evaluating literature and composing a clear and well-organized oral presentation. Live-stream online debate was a feasible and effective learning tool for DNP students exploring professional issues. Debate should be evaluated with other content such as health policy, ethics, and clinical management.

The Use of Debates in an Online Nursing Course

“…Open-ended survey responses revealed positive student perceptions of the experience, despite initial anxiety and nervousness about their perceived ability to present and defend a professional issue. These findings align with the work of DeClerk and colleagues, 2 who found that, although students expressed uncertainty about what to expect in debates, it led students to critically examine and apply the literature on their topic and present their view. Students faced typical barriers to assignment completion that are associated with online and group work formats.…”

“…1 Through debates, students interact actively with their classmates, with the topic, and with the instructor. 1,2 Students learn important skills through debates, including critical thinking, working effectively with others, leadership, delegation, communication skills, and how toevaluate team members. 1 Graduate nursing students' perception of participating in an online debate included the themes of risk taking, defense of a position, coverage of all aspects of the topic, skill and knowledge transfer, and critical thinking.…”

“…In online courses, students who are not involved in active learning are more likely to feel isolated and be less involved in the course 1 . Through debates, students interact actively with their classmates, with the topic, and with the instructor 1,2 . Students learn important skills through debates, including critical thinking, working effectively with others, leadership, delegation, communication skills, and how to evaluate team members 1 .…”

Critical Psychiatry Debates; A Neglected Tool in Undergraduate Medical Education [Version 2]

“…Online Platforms: Although not employed here, the classic debate structure lends itself well to the online environment either synchronously via video conferencing ( DeClerk, LaBorde and Smith-Olinde, 2020 ) or asynchronously via forums ( Lin and Crawford, 2007 ). This flexibility is a crucial feature considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on traditional teaching strategies.…”

Strategies to Improve the Use of Live Synchronous Meetings in Blended, Remote, and Online Courses

“…Instructors can hold synchronous meetings where students engage in a real-time debate on a predetermined topic (Cheese, 2015;DeClerk et al, 2020). For instance, students could be split into different groups where they must argue either for or against something.…”