DEBATE AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL

STRATEGY FOR STUDENT’S

GROWTH: CRITICAL THINKING
AND ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT

Presented by:
Harmon Jay Jose
John Michael Esteban
 BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

• As students struggle to meet the challenges of critical thinking, debating may

add the increased level of positive perception and increase self-efficacy.
Critical thinking disposition measures the person’s ability to critically think.
This project will introduce students to debating where students will participate
in two debates on the same topic. Critical thinking is an important skill for the
social science classroom and its field as it is the basis for understanding the
process of change in society and its institution. Draw together, analyze, and
critically evaluate information.
 CONTINUATION

• Student engagement is one of the important constructs that is used to understand the behavior of the
student towards the teaching-learning process. Understanding the behavior of students in the
academic institutions will provide a glimpse of how the instructions and academic practices are
going on in the university. As such, it could be used as a powerful tool by the teachers and academic
supervisors to design an effective pedagogical technique to maximize the learning experiences of the
students.

• There are many ways to get students engaged in a classroom, but when topics are controversial or
taboo, students may shy away from sharing their thoughts on the subject. In contrast, some may be
so overly passionate about a topic that they proselytize their point. One tactic that helps students feel
comfortable enough to speak about controversial topics is through debates that are structured and
promote students’ preparedness in defending or opposing a particular stance on a topic.
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. How are the critical thinking and engagement skills of students before
utilizing debate?
2. What is the impact of utilizing specific instruction on critical thinking
disposition?
3. Was there an improvement in the students’ engagement and perceptions of
their critical thinking perceptions?
4. What action plan can be prepared?
 METHODS AND DESIGN

• This action research will utilize a mixed method approach for data collection. In this type of
qualitative design, direct and indirect observation methods will be used. Direct observation is a
method of collecting data in which a researcher simply views or listens to the subjects of the research,
without asking specific questions or manipulating any variables.

• Qualitative observational methods allow researchers to detect developing themes or patterns of

behavior that might be ignored or obscured when using alternative methods. Using observational
methods, the researcher is able to see behaviors that, when viewed in context, may reveal important
information about the participant or the group relative to the research topic. Indirect observation
involves the analysis of textual material generated either indirectly from transcriptions of audio
recordings of verbal behavior in natural settings (e.g., conversation, group discussions) or directly
from narratives (e.g., letters of complaint, tweets, forum posts). These methods involve collecting
data using one’s senses, especially looking and listening in a systematic and meaningful way”
(McKechnie, 2008, p. 573). The researchers collect data using direct participation, anecdotal record,
notes, videos, audio recordings images, and text documents.
 DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

Observation, interview with the teacher, anecdotal analysis, interview with

students, and debate.
 INSTRUMENT/TOOLS

Interview guide, observation log, reports, test, and activity.

 DATA ANALYSIS

• Statistical Analysis
• Descriptive Analysis

Statistical Analysis shows “What happen?” by using past data in the form of
dashboards. Statistical Analysis includes collection, Analysis, interpretation,
presentation, and modeling of data. It analyses a set of data or a sample of data. There
are two categories of this type of Analysis – Descriptive Analysis and Inferential Analysis.

The study’s questions will be examined in depth utilizing observations, students’ self-
assessment survey, and student interviews.