Online Workshop Information 2024
Harvard Debate Council’s Summer Workshops
The Harvard Debate Council has been a pioneer in online debate education. We offered one of the first online evidence databases in the 1980s, HarvEx, and ran the premier online debate platform during the 1990s and 2000s, PlanetDebate. We have taught several foreign online debate classes. We are excited to build on last year’s online summer workshop to bring our students a first-class educational experience. We understand that everyone might be a little tired of online learning, but we have worked hard to build a dynamic, synchronous learning environment that will be stimulating, educational, and fun.
Platform
Instruction will be delivered using Harvard’s Zoom platform.
Students will have access to the zoom rooms from their Student Portal at hdcsw.org/during-workshop
Scheduling
Scheduling will be adapted so that students can participate from all continental US time zones. The instructional day will last from 10AM until approximately 6PM EST. Each program will offer a mix of synchronous and asynchronous programming, including recorded lectures, live discussions, and mechanisms for students to submit recorded speeches and receive feedback as well as participate in live competitions. Students should expect to be engaged with the workshop from the morning through the early evening each day with breaks scattered throughout and for lunch.
Tuition
The tuition price for each online workshop will be $1,499, which includes the $100.00 application fee and the $500.00 deposit.
Forms
Medical forms and ID photos will no longer be required for the online program.
Questions
For any questions, please reach out to us at info@hdcsw.org or at 617-495-4822.
Steps to Prepare for the Online Workshop
Be prepared before the opening session on the appropriate day
Instruction will be delivered using Harvard’s Zoom platform.. Students will have access to the zoom rooms from their Student Portal at hdcsw.org/during-workshop. Tech Troubleshooting. If you have any trouble joining the classes, please reach out to us at info@hdcsw.org or at 617-495-4822.
Ensure you have access to the online learning platforms by the Saturday before your workshop begins
The opening meeting will occur on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 1:00pm EST. Students will be able to find the link and other details from their Student Portal at hdcsw.org/during-workshop
Technological Requirements
In order to participate as seamlessly as possible in online courses, students will need the following:
Tablets and phones can be used as supplements, but students will need a fully functioning computer. We also recommend that students have a dedicated space for using a webcam where outside interruption can be minimized.
A hard-wired ethernet connection is ideal, but strong wifi can be used as well. One workaround is to use a wifi range extender with an ethernet port, which should provide increased connectivity.
Any basic option will work, but the microphone quality is the most important element. Many debaters prefer to use gamer headsets.
The policy program will require the use of Microsoft Word.