Podcasting

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Debating Environmental Concerns

“Debating Environmental Concerns” is an activity that utilizes a podcasting channel to store podcasts created by the class using debates about environmental concerns in the oil sector. The debates are audio-recorded and stored on the podcasting channel so that future classes can access them.

Outcomes:

The learner will be able to:

  • Develop vocabulary related to environmental concerns in the oil sector; debate language gambits (e.g. I'm listening to the other side....I see your point, but I think...yes, I understand, but my opinion is that)
  • Outline of pro or con side of debate (debate notes)
  • Create a 4- 5 minute podcast that is comprehensible clearly outlining their side of the debate

Preparation:

  • Talk about pragmatics - language for voicing an opinion in a culturally appropriate way
  • Review the use of debate gambits such as “I see your point, but I think…”, “let me respond to that, please”, “the first point I want to discuss is…”
  • Example using Podomatic

Delivery:

  1. Introduce the Tool:
    • Introduce concept of debating and cultural relevance (i.e. How debate is valued as a process in education)
    • Clarify expectations
      • I.e. One podcast per group
      • I.e. Outline of the podcast
  2. Create a debate
    • Decide on the topics to be covered (e.g. “Alberta should put a moratorium on the development of Alberta oil sands for at least ten years”, or “extracting oil sands uses too much water. Water is a precious resource which is finite on the planet” con - “the environmental effects of the oil sands industry are greatly exaggerated. It represents a minuscule percentage of global carbon emissions.”
    • Create a debate group consisting of two students for each side of the debate: pro and con
    • Review the debate procedure: pro side speaks first. Allow 4-5 minutes of uninterrupted time to explain their position; both members must participate equally; repeat for the con side; then give both sides up to two minutes to confer and prepare for their rebuttal; begin the rebuttals with the con side and give them two minutes to speak; repeat for pro side.
  3. Record the debate for the purpose of podcasting
    • Limit podcast to less than 5 minutes. Each side of the debate can create their own podcast.
    • Example
  4. Summarize:
    • By breaking into groups to discuss the posted opinions
  5. Conclude with one of these ideas
    • Write a blog entry as a rebuttal or follow-up
    • Summarize viewpoints and ideas (on a blog or wiki)

Activity Reference Links:

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) skills addressed by this activity are:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing