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:
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Summarize:
- By breaking into groups to discuss the posted opinions
- 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