ONLINE EDUCA Debate
The ONLINE EDUCA Debate on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s conference. It’s a chance for you to let off steam and have your say in the high-octane atmosphere of the conference’s debating chamber, where keynote speakers will debate a controversial motion with each other and with the audience. Whilst a ‘parliamentary-style’ format should ensure fair play, passions will be running high as two opposing teams lock horns and argue their case.
Psychologist Dr Aric Sigman, the author of Remotely Controlled, and a leading critic of the effects of television and new media, will propose the motion:
"This House believes that the increasing use of technology and social software is damaging students' minds and undermining the benefits of traditional methods of learning."
Aric Sigman’s views have already attracted widespread attention, particularly his claims that online social networking and the lack of face-to-face communication have biological effects and could lead to health problems such as cancer, strokes, heart disease and dementia.
He will be seconded by political columnist Bruce Anderson of The Independent newspaper. Well known for his outspoken views, Bruce is also the biographer of British Conservative leader David Cameron and former Prime Minister John Major.
The motion will be opposed by Donald Clark, a director of LINE, Caspian and UFI, who is well known in the blogosphere as a commentator on developments in education and training. He will be seconded by Jerry Michalski, Founder and President of Sociate. While acknowledging that the use of PCs, the Internet and social media is not always beneficial or healthy, Michalski says that “there is probably more good than evil in it. […] What we haven't yet done is to build into the technology we use a good ‘do not disturb’ function, so that it is easy to take time off from the Net. Nor have many of us taken the steps necessary to stay away voluntarily, even for certain periods of time each day. Control over our time and attention really comes from within, but these new shiny objects will be irresistible for some time to come. I do believe this will work out well for us in the end. Where the end is, however, I cannot say.”
The debate promises to be very lively and conference participants will be invited by the chair, former British parliamentarian Dr Harold Elletson, to make their views known. At the end of proceedings, a vote will be taken.
