Sequence: TV_Debate_NZ

Sequence Information
Sequence: TV_Debate_NZ
Description:
Preparation for a debate: 'Watching television is a health hazard'.  Includes some NZ statistics


Keywords: debate, TV, television, arguments

Subject: English, Media, Communication

Audience: Learners from 11 years to adult, but originally designed for 11 - 14 year olds

Run time: 50 - 60 minutes

Delivery Mode: In class (face-to-face), but could be run remotely

Resources: URLS linked to:

Outline of Activities:]


  1. Introduction the topic to be debated.
      Tool: Noticeboard
  2. Students are provided with a few stimulus materials to start them thinking about time spent in front of television by adults and children; mental and physical health risks; statistics, cartoons etc.
      Tool: Share resources
  3. In small groups, students discuss the pros and cons of watching TV. What is 'too much TV'? 'What is a 'health hazard'? Is there anything good about watching TV? (Chat time - 5-10 minutes)
      Tool: Chat + Grouping (small group)
  4. In pairs, students are now asked to list 5 arguments that could be used to support the affirmative case: 'Television watching IS a health hazard'.
      Tool: Q & A
  5. In pairs, students are asked to list 5 arguments that could be used to support the case for the negative: 'Television watching is NOT a health hazard'.
      Tool: Q & A
  6. Just for fun – find out who agrees and who disagrees with the topic of debate.
      Tool: Poll

Option 1:
Follow up activities could include further preparation for the debate in class; an individual essay presenting arguments for and against the proposition; students create posters warning of the health hazards of too much TV watching and outline steps that could be taken to change habits (posters could be web pages or in hard copy).

Option 2:

The learning design could be adapted for a debate in any subject.

Author view:

Image not available

Audience:
Subjects:
Language: English
LAMS Version: 1.0.0.b.6
License: Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike
Support Files:
Name Size (bytes) Date Uploaded
TV_debate_A18.pdf 137716 09/21/05 02:52 AM
Sharing with: Everyone in Public
Status: Active
Average Rating: 4.0 stars (4). Based on 2 reviews.
Number of downloads: 68 times
Number of previews: 10 times
Authored By:   Robyn Philip
Date: 21 September 2005 02:33 AM
User Comments on TV_Debate_NZ sequence

    TV debate

    I have used this many times in training sessions to demonstrate what LAMS is like for the learner.

    It is simple and works well as long as the chat is grouped correctly for the number of learners in the session.

    Primary students in NZ have completed the sequence with good results.

    Robyn Philip on September 21, 2005 02:56 AM (view details)