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Zoom Team Debates – An Original & Engaging Assessment Format

Oral Presentation
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Oral Presentation

4:45 pm

26 February 2024

M213

Collaborative learning and practice

Presentation Description

Hayden Frizzell1,2
1 University of Melbourne
2 Department of Rural Health


Abstract 

Most tutors have some experience moderating spontaneous debates on relevant topics during their tutorials, which are usually very enjoyable and engaging for students. However, debates are rarely used as a formal assessment format, despite literature clearly highlighting its effectiveness. Many are even more reluctant to try formalised debates over Zoom. 

In one of our new ‘Discovery’ subjects for the MD program, we have designed an original method of assessing students – Zoom Team Debates. After researching a chosen topic and preparing over a number of weeks in groups, students present their arguments and attempt to convince their online live tutorial audience in a 45-minute 3-on-3 showdown. 

This assessment format has numerous advantages for both teachers and students:
 · Allows a ‘Group Presentation’-style assessment task to happen in a dynamic, enjoyable and non-repetitive way
 · Allows controversial topics to be explored in a suitable and supportive format
 · Provides an additional way for online students to feel connected and engage with each other over a number of weeks outside of class time
 · Requires students to ‘think outside the box’ and defend multiple perspectives of the same issue, skills which will be critical when making decisions in the workplace
 · Requires students to present and respond to both pre-prepared and on-the-fly elements ·Requires both individual contributions and sustained teamwork
 · Ensures equal participation of all students, including audience members
 · Allows all marking to happen on-the-spot during the tutorial
 · Allows research, communication, teamwork and presentation skills to be assessed in the same task
 · Can be used as Assessment For Learning or Assessment Of Learning as needed 

In this presentation, I will show educators how to create and facilitate a successful and engaging ‘Zoom Team Debate’ assessment task within the context of their own units. 


References (maximum three) 

None for Abstract 


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