Using Discussions (Text)

Web Tool:

Industry:

Opinions and Biases

“Opinions and Biases” is an activity that uses Nicenet.org, a tool with an option where learners can chat on-line discussing opinions about readings about oil and gas in Alberta.

Outcomes:

The learner will be able to:

  • Express opinions in a group setting
  • Discern fact from fiction from reading text
  • Develop vocabulary related to the topic
  • Identify issues from readings

Preparation:

  • Note instructor needs to create a “classroom chat or discussion space”
  • Discuss the importance of planning, including editing long before learners sit down to 'publish' their ideas
  • Discuss how to express opinions and how to discern between fact and opinion
  • Review conversation gambits

Delivery:

  1. Warm-Up
    • Teach the tool if necessary
    • Review these conversation gambits:
      • Express opinions - use diplomatic language, sometimes assertive language
      • Give an opinion: I think… As far as I'm concerned… What do you think?
      • Agree: I agree; I think so too; good point!
      • Disagree: you have a point but…; I disagree because…
  2. Presentation
    • Show example of chatting online (discussion board) using Nicenet.org
    • Demonstrate how to enter information into the tool
  3. Practice
    • Divide class into groups of three and assign the reading(s)
    • Read an oil /gas blog or the Alberta oil magazine online that has a blog
    • Read five entries in the blog or more than one blog
    • Report what they read to their group
    • Discuss how they can contribute to the discussion.
  4. Production
    • Discuss in pairs, then in larger groups the issues surrounding the topic in order to clarify thoughts before using the online chat
    • Post responses of summary using the tool (as a summary)

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

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing