Group Formation: Don't sit on the fence !

Debates can be a lively way for students to talk about issues of the day and use effective communication skills, particularly presenting, persuading, listening, chairing, summarising. Divide the group by putting up two posters on opposite sides of the room, one marked FOR, one AGAINST. Students stand nearest to the sign depending on how strongly they feel for or against the issue and then get into their groups. You can draw an imaginary line across the room where the " fence" would be ! After the debate ask students to stand in postion again relative to how much they may have changed their opinions.
John F Fagan, York, UK.