I have used Taking Sides in my Critical Thinking in Psychology class. My
main gripe was that the books does too good a job of presenting the
arguments pro and con. I prefer to let the students develop or locate the
arguments "from scratch" using the usual resources. Also, I prefer to let
the students work with me to develop a set of issues for debate rather
than be limited to those in the Takin Sides book. So I no longer use it.
Incidently, on the topic of letting students present information in class,
I have been using a technique with success in the Critical Thinking and
Consumer Psychology classes. Each student must select an issue, topic, or
research article to present (that deals with the topic of the course). On
most class days, we lead off with several student presentations. I tell
them to prepare for a 5-7 minute presentation followed by some class
discussion but they often go longer. Often this part of the class is much
more lively and interesting than my lecture/review of the assigned
reading.
At the next class meeting, they are to turn in a short 3-5 page paper
on their presentation. This is usually worth 15% or so of the course
grade--enough to get their attention but not enough to cause serious
stress.
The advantage is that everyone gets some presentation experience and
we get into a variety of discussion issues. If a particular student is a
poor presenter, the presentation is mercifully brief and we move on to the
next one. But most do quite well--even the Freshmen.
--Dave
----------------------------------------------------------------------
David E. Campbell, Ph.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Department of Psychology Phone: 707-826-3721
Humboldt State University FAX: 707-826-4993
Arcata, CA 95521 www.humboldt.edu/~campbell/psyc.htm
On Thu, 9 Jan 2003, Hetzel, Rod wrote:
>
> Hi folks. Do any of you have any experience using the Taking Sides
> series with your classes? I'm using it for Abnormal Psychology this
> semester. Students seem pretty excited about it, but I was curious if
> there are any potential pitfalls or problems that you have found in
> using the debate format. Thanks in advance! Rod
>
> ______________________________________________
> Roderick D. Hetzel, Ph.D.
> Department of Psychology
> LeTourneau University
> Post Office Box 7001
> 2100 South Mobberly Avenue
> Longview, Texas 75607-7001
>
> Office: Education Center 218
> Phone: 903-233-3893
> Fax: 903-233-3851
> Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Homepage: http://www.letu.edu/people/rodhetzel
>
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