AI Debate Kit

The 2023 CHRISTMAS LECTURES from the Royal Institution will reveal the truth about the most rapidly evolving and headline-grabbing field in modern science: Artificial Intelligence (AI).

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Posted on December 4, 2023 by modemily in News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AI Debate Kit

Climate Warming (Ban Flying) Debate Kit – Evaluation Report

The Climate Warming (Ban Flying) Debate Kit was funded by the Royal Institution, IBM, Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and UK Research and Innovation. It was produced alongside the CHRISTMAS LECTURES Zone, in partnership with the 2020 RI CHRISTMAS LECTURES series: Planet Earth: A User’s Guide.

The Climate Warming Debate Kit asks the question: Should flying be banned for ten years?

The Kit was distributed from March 2021, and evaluated during December 2021 and January 2022.

Summary:

  • We estimate that at least 221 Debate Kits have been used with students.
  • Feedback from teachers who have used the Kit is highly positive. Teachers value the ways in which the Kit links to the curriculum, provides varied perspectives around the issue, and encourages students’ lateral thinking.
  • Every teacher responding to the feedback survey, reported that they intend to use the Debate Kit again.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant and ongoing impacts on schools and teaching. Teacher feedback across our projects indicates a need to focus on the core curriculum due to lost time from school closures, students isolating, and navigating changing restrictions. This is reflected in feedback we have received which indicates that many teachers have not yet had time to make use of the Kit.
  • 75% of teachers who told us they haven’t yet used the Kit report that they intend to use it in the future.

Read the full report [PDF] ❯ Continue reading

Posted on February 24, 2022 by modjosh in Evaluation | Leave a comment

Food Hygiene Debate Kit – Evaluation Report

The Food Hygiene Debate Kit was funded by e-Bug and Safe Consume.

The Kit asks the question: Is it safer to eat at home or out at a restaurant?

The Kit was distributed from June 2020, and evaluated during December 2021 and January 2022.

Summary:

  • We estimate that at least 308 Debate Kits have been used with students.
  • Feedback from teachers who have used the Kit is consistently positive. Teachers value the ability of the Kit to encourage critical thinking and appreciation of others’ opinions.
  • 94% of teachers responding to the feedback survey, reported that they intend to use the Debate Kit again.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant and ongoing impacts on schools and teaching. Teacher feedback across our projects indicates a need to focus on the core curriculum due to lost time from school closures, students isolating, and navigating changing restrictions. This is reflected in feedback we have received which indicates that many teachers have not yet had time to make use of the Kit.
  • 57% of teachers who told us they haven’t yet used the Kit report that they intend to use it in the future.

Read the full report [PDF] ❯ Continue reading

Posted on February 24, 2022 by modjosh in Evaluation | Leave a comment

Pandemic Prevention Debate Kit

Our next Science Debate Kit asks:

Pandemic Prevention: Were all groups treated fairly?

Pandemic Prevention Debate Kit Front Cover
As the Royal Institution CHRISTMAS LECTURES take an in-depth look at how new discoveries made as a result of the pandemic are set to change the future of medicine students can explore the societal and ethical implications of science and technology through 8 thought-provoking character cards. Continue reading

Posted on December 7, 2021 by ModShane in News | Leave a comment