At a Glance

Discipline

  • Social sciences
  • Humanities

Instructional Level

  • University

Tasks in Workflow

Social Plane(s)

  • Individual
  • Group
  • Whole Class

Type of Tasks

  • Collecting & seeking information
  • Discussing
  • Reviewing & assessing peers
  • Debating

Technical Details

Useful Technologies

  • Projector (optional)

Class size

  • Small (20-49)

Time

  • Multiple class periods (2-3 classes)

Instructional Purpose

  • Application & knowledge building

Overview

In this activity, students debate whether mindfulness can effectively heal the brain after a traumatic experience to minimize negative mental health symptoms.

During Class 1, 3-5 students (depending on class size) are chosen as judges for the debate while the rest of the class is divided into two teams. The instructor then plays the first video clip to introduce students to the idea of stress, biological trauma, and what a traumatized person experiences. The instructor then poses the question: “can mindfulness therapy actually reverse physiological effects of trauma in the brain?” Students go home and research the topic to understand brain plasticity and trauma, and find evidence for their team’s viewpoint (Team 1 for, Team 2, against).

During Class 2, students get into their assigned team, and build their case with the evidence they have found. Each team chooses people to debate (2-3 rounds of debate/rebuttal, depending on class size and length, lasting 5 minutes each).

Judges make decision on who won the debate, and instructor debriefs the class to address any misconceptions about the brain and to answer student questions. Instructor then shows second video clip, and explains that the answer is probably a mix of both sides: mindfulness therapy may not be able to completely erase the physiological affects of trauma on the brain, but it can help to reduce to psychological effects experienced, allowing trauma survivors to be more grounded in the present.

Instructional Objectives

Students exercise critical thinking skills (researching for evidence), and learn to evaluate facts (debate) and create (rebuttle) counter-arguments. Ultimately, students should gain a deeper understanding of neuroplasticity through the subject lens of trauma.

Workflow & Materials

Workflow

Activity Workflow

View on CourseFlow

Contributor's Notes

Daniel Goldsmith

Daniel Goldsmith

Dawson College, Montreal

Benefits
Challenges
Tips
Benefits

Debates are an engaging way of teaching material, and allowing students to evaluate facts for themselves. It involves individual and group work, which ensures that students practice working alone and with peers.

Challenges

Some students may not want to participate in the debate in terms of presenting.

Tips

Students that do not want to debate can act as judges. That way, they still play an active role in the debate, but do not have to present within the debate itself.

Applied Strategies

Feedback

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