1.3 Panels, Symposia, Round Tables, Forum and Debates

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Panels, symposium, round tables, forum and debates combine audience activities with give-and-take of the discussion. They are useful in large-class activities when more informal whole-class or small-group discussions would not be feasible.

The panel: A fairly informal setting in which four to six participants with a chairperson discuss a topic among themselves, followed by give-and-take with the class. Each participant makes an opening statement but there are no speeches.

The symposia: A more formal setting in which the participants present speeches representing differing positions, then allow questions from the floor.

The round tables: A quite informal group, usually five or fewer participants, who sit around a table and converse among themselves and with audience.

The forum: A type of panel approach in which the panel interacts with the audience.

The debate: A very formal approach consisting of set speeches by participants of to opposing teams and rebuttal made by each participant.

  1.3.1 Conducting Panels, Symposia, Round Tables, and Forums

The procedures for preparing for them are much the same. All discussions work best when the students discuss matters really important to them. For this reason, if no other, when setting up them it is wise to involve students in the selection of the topics to be discussed.

Do them at least part of their preparation in class during a supervised study period so that you can oversee the development of their presentations.

Before them, carefully brief the students on the procedure to be followed.

After the formal portion of the discussion has ended, there should be an open discussion or question-and-answer period in which everyone may participate.

To encourage students other than the the persons in the panels, symposia, round tables and forums, you may take such steps;.

    1. Require students to take notes on the formal presentations and discussion
    2. Ask students to summarize the major points and different positions.
    3. Ask students to evaluate the logic and accuracy of the arguments.

The chairperson can make a great difference in the success of a panel. Among the duties the chairperson performs are te following:

Make the introduction. Announce the topic, map out the procedure to be followed, and prepare the audience by setting the mood.

Control the conduct of the panel. Introduce the participants. Stop them when their time is up. Moderation within panel, sum up when neccassary and redirection the flow of the discussion.

Moderate the question, answer and discussion period with the audience.

Close the discussion

  1.3.2 Conducting the Debate

Each of the two teams consists of two or three debaters.

A moderator introduces the topic and the speakers.

A timekeeper times the speeches, warn the speakers when their time is growing short.

Each team member makes a formal presentation that is no longer than a fixed number of minutes.

Each team member makes rebuttal to counter the arguments.

After the formal debate has ended, the moderator can open a general discussion.

Advantages

Provides an opportunity for study in depth.

Arouses interest

Shows two sides of an issue

Brings controversy into sharper focus

Disadvantages

Emphasizes dichotomous (black and white) thinking,

Involves too few students,

Tends to emphasize fluency in debate and winning rather than attempting to get at the truth of the matter.