Challenges and Opportunities for Forensics Programs: Offering Debate and Individual Events

The purpose of this paper is to inquire into the forces that might account for this shift in the focus of programs, to consider some of the values served by broad-based programs, and identify some of the challenges faced by directors of programs that strive to offer opportunities in both debate and individual events. Despite some sentiment that narrowly focused programs deliver the greatest degree of educational impact for the resources invested, in some instances broad-based programs might play a central role in the educational mission of a department or college. On these grounds, the forensic community should embrace diversity in program development, respect the multifaceted purposes that forensics programs serve, and support a vision of forensics that balances a focus on competitive success with a concern for educational outcomes

Overcoming Obstacles to Scholarly Engagement

This paper reaffirms the idea that scholarship is essential to advancing the professional and knowledge based identity of the forensic community. To develop a vision for future scholarly activity, the paper outlines some possible areas for consideration in developing writing and research programs, reviews some of the obstacles that stand in the way of a more active community of forensic scholars, and offers solutions that hold promise for advancing the mission of scholarship in the intercollegiate forensic community

Practicing Critical Thinking Skills Within a Pedagogy of Renewal

The COVID-19 “pivot” created challenges for instructors in adapting their teaching strategies to the various forms of technology available for virtual delivery. One positive outcome discovered for teaching an introduction to debate class was the use of Blackboard’s discussion board feature to assess student learning regarding understanding and application of concepts of evidence and reasoning for an introduction to debate class. This essay provides an account of how I adapted my teaching strategies, the assignment for student participation created to assess student learning, and positive outcomes for students needing time to process arguments and respond in a virtual forum