Develop the Analytical Minds of Students through Debate Activities

Debate is an effective and reliable tool to develop the analytical skills of students. A teacher should look upon every activity as a learning tool, whether this is done outside or inside the classroom. Competitive debate is one of the most common methods that educators utilize to enhance the didactic phase and to maximize the teaching-learning process.

How is competitive debating done?

1. Two teams from 3-4 members are usually given a topic for debate. One group would be the affirmative and the other, the negative; e.g. "Should there be a division of the state and the church?" You could create numerous topics from your lessons.

2. Each member of the group would be given 5-7 minutes to present his/her arguments.

3. After each argument the other group is allowed to interpolate or to rebut the merits and demerits of the other team's presentation.

4. The team who earns the highest points, with regards to the validity of arguments presented, would win.

This is a great learning tool because of the following significant reasons:

1. The students, not only, learn how to express themselves in public but would also learn how to respect the right of others to speak. During the debate, no one is allowed to butt in unless duly acknowledged by the on-going speaker.

When the exposure of the students to debating activities is intensive, they would become more and more confident in expressing themselves. Being a fluent writer does not necessarily denote that students are good speakers too. It takes practice to perfect oral expression and this is one effective tool to do it.

There are many graduates with above average IQs, who were turned down upon applying for a job, because someone with an average IQ was hired; all because he knew how to express himself fluently.

Learning is also about expressing your thoughts and ideas well.

2. Debate teaches students to argue without rancor or enmity. They develop their skill on tactfulness and dynamic expression, without appearing condescending or haughty. Debaters are trained to remain calm and collected. Voices should never be raised or negative emotions should not be displayed. When a debater shouts, interrupt rudely, or makes face, a demerit point is given to their group.

3. The logical and organized presentation would teach students to organize their thoughts; that arguments are considered logical when they could be supported by facts. This is one of the bases of giving out points; the arguments presented should have facts, and not hearsay, to back them up.

4. Students learn how to be good team players. Cooperation and support is the
key word to a successful debating team. Each member has to support the other member's arguments or they would not be able to win.

5. Students learn how to think and act quickly. Prompt and decisive decisions had to be made during the process of rebuttal and argumentation. Sometimes unexpected questions are thrown by the other debating team and they should be able to give a prompt reply. This is crucial to the points that a team could earn. When they participate in debates more often, they would learn how to think on their feet. Snap decisions that are sensible had to be made. This is one of the most important aspects that students learn.

6. The value of research and fact finding is encouraged in debates. Students learn that they cannot just state an assumption without having a document to prove it with; that for ideas to be recognized, they should have valid documentation.
Students have also to do extensive research if they want to be thorough about their arguments. This activity will make them aware of the value of research.

7. The essence of sportsmanship would be a wonderful learning experience for them. The significance of being gracious in defeat is most often ignored. How many times do we see an athlete on TV throw his medal because he did not win? Students should learn that winning is not everything? Losers can be winners if they had learned something from that particular competition.

Based on the above mentioned facts, it is apparent that debate is a great learning tool because it develops the students as whole persons. Learning is holistic. It includes not only the cognitive (knowledge acquisition) but also the affective (behavioral good behavior ) and the psychomotor (physical/manual skills) aspects of the students' development; so form now your debating teams in class and reap the rewards of total learning. Allow your students to explore their full potential with debating activities.

Photo by Frerieke's photostream

Myrtle Beach Hotel, An Item in my Bucket List

One of the items in my bucket list is to tour the world with my family. My planned destinations are Ibiza, Spain, Switzerland, Venice, and the romantic city of Paris, Hollywood, Cheyenne Wyoming and South Carolina. I have plans of pursuing this as soon as I get my retirement pay. That would be, ehem…let me see….oh, I can’t reveal it. Let’s just assume it is a few more years from now. If you are looking for a place to stay while in South Carolina then http://www.grandeshores.com will provide you great options.

One of the most beautiful resort hotels I have seen online is the Myrtle Beach Hotel. I would most certainly choose this perfect place because I love the open air, the beachfront, and the smell of fresh seawater. I could also play golf while my family can engage in waterfront activities. Aside from the luxury and comfort the rooms offer, I could also pamper myself in their spa.

You can also choose from the Myrtle Beach vacation deals, which would provide the best deals that would suit your preferences. Staying in a superb hotel and enjoying the array of good services it offers need not be expensive. These deals will give you the best value for your hard-earned money. So next time you drop by Carolina, remember this wonderful vacation spot.

Panagbenga Festival in Baguio, Philippines

SM's float was Superb, Imagine, those are all flowers!



It was one tiring day, Whew!

Having Problems with Math and Algebra? Here's the Solution

Math and Algebra were two of my favorite subjects back in school. My peers shed blood and tears just to pass these two subjects . I was lucky because I was inspired by my previous teacher , who patiently provided me Math help .

He taught me that Math and Algebra are not to be feared but should be enjoyed and seen as challenges. But many in school had difficulty with the subject, Most probably because sometimes they look like illegible graphics to the untrained mind.

Math problems are difficult and complex during those times that my classmates would literally cry in their frustration. The Algebra problems created also headaches.
Today this is no longer a problem with online tutors. You can get a 24 – hour unlimited service any time .

You could get help with your Math Problems in no time at all. You will even get a free demo to familiarize yourself with the software. You should take advantage of this excellent chance to learn math and algebra at an affordable price. In exchange you’ll get unlimited monthly tutorial in these very difficult subjects .

Parents should take advantage also of those awesome package, If your child has difficulty understanding Math and Algebra, then this is a good made easy to understand tool for your child. He could get expert Algebra help as well.

Join, Make Money Online and Earn This Much In 2 Weeks

I have finally discovered where I can really make money online. I enjoy writing and they pay me. I am a freelancer at Odesk. I am assimilating various information at the same time as I write. Isn't that wonderful? I can do my passion, learn simultaneously AND get paid. I love it! Here's proof. I could have earned more if I were full time, but I have a demanding full time job, you know. I just write after work, and yet I have earned this much. I even spent 2 pieces of those...You can earn more than I can, if you would want to. Don't be surprised with the date on the picture, I did not adjust the date that's why. lol. This picture was taken last April.



If you want to join here's my link, or you could go directly to oDesk and apply. They are also in need of web designers, graphic artists, data encoders and many more. Who knows? The President of your country, might enlist you to write one of his speeches, like most presidents do...lol...so if you want to make money online, come and join me. Just click on the ad below. See you there!



Oh, by the way, if you need assistance, I can help you. Just buzz me.Ciao!

Secure Your Residual Affiliate Future Earnings

By : Amapola Imbag


Most investors are familiar with diversifying assets among a variety of stock, bond and investments to reduce risks. Diversifying one’s income is to have different sources of revenue. Since affiliate future earnings are not as stable as you think they are because of enormous layoffs, it is a fantastic plan to start spreading your profits and adding alternative streams of income.

Importance of Diversifying Affiliate Future Earning

There are many obvious benefits of affiliate future earning diversification, which make it important: These are the following:

 Increase your non-refundable income even if it is a small amount.
o If you have an additional profit of $100/month, would that pay a bill or two? It does not matter. Do not be over concerned with how much you will make, it will add up over time if you consistently do it.
 It can provide a cushion against layoffs and job losses.
o Additional sources of affiliate future earnings will address some of the financial stress.

Creating Multiple Income Earners

There are various options to set up abundant affiliate future earnings. Here is how:

 As much as possible, try to have multiple clients. Aim to have a wider variety of clients but ensure that the clients you will choose will fit your criteria.
 Don’t quit your full time jobs. It is still best to keep the full time job to ensure that a regular income will come in.
 Consider a part-time job. This can pay good money.
 Get a contract. This ensures another venue to generate affiliate future earnings.
 Start a blog. This is about writing and sharing knowledge with others. This is worth the effort since you can make money out of it.
 Teach. Sharing and teaching your valuable skill to others such as setting up seminars, creating business classes can pay well.
 Offer coaching or consulting sessions. Coaching people could be done if teaching them about a special skill in a class is quite hard.
 Begin a small business. Selling a product or service is also a good venture as it makes a good side income.
 Write a good book. It is not always easy to get your articles and books published but it is possible. This can also help improve your qualifications and credentials when you plan to work elsewhere.
 Create marketing partnerships. Making a blog or websites can make you have an affiliate with different proponents in the web. When they sign up this affiliate link, this can add up to your many affiliate future earnings.
 Publish an e-book. This is just quite easy as compared to publishing a book. What is important is that this is a good source of high revenue in the future.

There is no specific recipe on how to secure residual affiliate future earnings. However, there are ways on how to generate income from diverse avenues. Not only that it adds most to our character, it also enhances our earnings by giving us opportunities to earn more money and profit the more.