Students will find the platform less intimidating than the traditional class debates and disussions! Since the platform gives them time to research, edit and construct their comments in their own time, they will feel less pressured to perform on the spot and more comfortable sharing their opinion on the platform. This will democratize how all students participate (quieter and louder ones will have space to voice opinions equally) and enable them to express themselves without reserve. Overall, the platform will be a "safe zone" for various opinions and debates where all students will be able to participate equally and share their individual voices/understanding of topics.

Likewise, debates generate many new questions that the students may not have thought about before (and that they wouldn't be able to discuss deeply in class due to time and teacher restrictions) and the curiosity to understand these ideas further will propel them to research and share their own interpretation of these new questions as they arise.

Added: Sept. 6, 2017, 5:37 p.m. Last change: Sept. 6, 2017, 5:37 p.m.
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Comments: 1

I think this is an important point. I personally have often felt at a disadvantage in class discussions. By the time I would have my opinion in order, another student would already have answered the question and because of limited time, usually only a few different view points will be discussed during class. On improveo multiple opinions can be discussed parallel to each other, giving each student the opportunity to voice their opinion.
leticia 6 years, 6 months ago