Comments on: Monday Meditation: Laptop Use

By: Val McIntosh

Val McIntosh — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 02:15:27 +0000

I feel it’s actually easier to flow on my laptop than it is to flow on pen and paper- it’s a lot faster and more organized (at least in my opinion). It’s also nice to be able to read cards off of it, I know we do when we debate out of state and it’s really helpful because I can write a block on my laptop and include cards during the car ride or during bye rounds or something like that and if we don’t have a printer, I can just read them off of my laptop.

I mean, some of the arguments about financial stuff concerning laptops is frankly ridiculous. Like if you can afford to go to a really expensive camp as opposed to not being able to afford to go to camp, you have a better chance of learning more intricacies and therefore being a better debater. Saying that one shouldn’t be able to use a laptop just because the other team may not be able to afford one is like saying that people who spend $5000 on camp shouldn’t be able to debate because it’s unfair to the people who can’t afford to go.

And I can also guarantee you that in the rounds I have debate in using a laptop or having the other team use a laptop, no one has cheated trying to get args from a coach or former debater. I personally think these arguments are ridiculous. I mean, even if you could ask another debater for files, it doesn’t matter. The debater with the most evidence isn’t going to win the round- the debater who best uses what they have is going to win. It’s as simple as that. I mean, overall, that’s what all of this boils down to is who is fundamentally the better debater, not who can read the most cards.

By: Nick Bubb

Nick Bubb — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 16:24:22 +0000

If you’re looking to always link to it; the permanent link is: http://wiforensics.com/2006/09/26/monday-meditation-laptop-use

I’ll bring the post back later for more comments.

By: Jason Chapman

Jason Chapman — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:25:09 +0000

These posts are very helpful for us, any chance that you can make this a sticky topic so it is always on top?

By: John

John — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:13:18 +0000

I debated long before laptops were on the market. We actually had to cut and past (tape) evidence when writing shells. We didn’t even have the internet since it wasn’t really around then. It was good to read books and journal articles instead of downloading everything. I’m not saying it was better or worse. It was what it was.

By: Lucas

Lucas — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 13:07:52 +0000

if you used it as a judge, didn’t you also use it as a debater?

By: John Knetzger

John Knetzger — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 02:18:34 +0000

Lucas,

As a judge who does use one, it’s a lot different that a debater. I flow on mine, that’s it. It would never be used for reading evidence, overviews, arguments, or the like. It makes my job a lot easier, honestly. I’m not likely to return to paper and pens anytime soon.

By: Lucas

Lucas — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 00:33:51 +0000

I dont care, ive had judges with them

By: Laptop Computers and High School Debate | PFdebate

Laptop Computers and High School Debate | PFdebate — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 14:04:34 +0000

[...] October 7, 2006Laptop Computers and High School Debate There is an interesting discussion over at Wisconsin Forensics Daily concerning whether or not laptops should be allowed in high school debate rounds. [...]

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:53:54 +0000

I'm crafting a response on the laptop question right now, and I think Mrs. Erbes' argument is interesting. However, I've never actually heard of anything that extreme occuring in round (although the potential exists).  I'm looking for feedback here, especially from those more familiar with the National Circuit–to what extent, if any, have debaters been caught cheating with laptops?  Thanks, Jon 

By: Peg Erbes

Peg Erbes — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 14:56:15 +0000

The larger issue, as Mike Traas indicated, is that policy debate remains a contest between teams of two.  With a few technological advances, nothing stops a graduated debater from sitting in the parking lot with a networked laptop.  From his car, he listens to his former teammates' debate and communicates instructions either verbally or in writing. Another former debater in the back seat searches for evidence. They craft and cause entire speeches to appear on the debater's screen and virtually collapse the team-of-two concept.   Because I firmly support in-round laptops (or whatever the long-term device) we need to adopt some strategies that keep the playing field level at all times.  These should be composed so any violation of the team-of-two concept is considered cheating, keeping it open for advances in technology.    That said, we need controls. Bill's proposal to require paper backup is an excellent start.  Coaches also need to communicate to their kids that the organizations continue to research the ways they can cheat, the ways they will be caught and the significant consequences of the cheating. And then we need to follow through with that research.  (At the meeting, I thought no further than the possibility of accessing the school's network or pulling evidence from computer files.  We have to be more sophisticated than that!)   Debate has never had a problem adapting.  If judges are uncomfortable with the “advantage” laptops give, require that 2nd rebuttals be done with a note card or give more weight to analysis.  I’m not advocating these particular adaptations, simply saying that if we stick to the basic two-on-a-team concept, everything else can and will flux.