New travel tool: Yapta

I just read a post on Mymoneyblog that I thought speech and debate coaches who are working with tight budgets (and that seems to be true of most programs) could use to save some money.  The program is called Yapta, and its in a beta stage, but seems to be up and running relatively efficiently.  The [...]

How to Handle Criticism…

as a judge or a debater.  This article from lifehack.com provides some great suggestions for dealing with those post-round discussions in debate, whether you are a judge or a debater.  I guess it also might help me deal with the current barrage of email complaints on the topics produced by the Topic Commitee! 
How can you [...]

And so it begins…

The intercollegiate policy debate season is a lengthy one.  Some might think it begins with the first tournament of the year, others may say the summer institutes are the real start to the season, but I would argue that today is really the beginning of the next season.  Today the resolutions that will be on [...]

It’s not all about the grade…

According to the book The Millionaire Mind at least. 
I have many students who are completely obsessed with getting an A (or A- as the case may be), as if the difference between getting a B+ and an A- is going to make a difference to someone.  According to The Simple Dollar, the book’s second chapter is [...]

Tool for speed reading…

Those pesky speed drills – no debaters WANTS to do them and you always wonder, am I really getting any faster from doing these things?  Well, here is a webpage that allows you to check out just how fast you’re able to read (words per minute) – http://www.spreeder.com/ Its a little weird because it only shows [...]

All about balance…

Life is this.  And I’ve been bad at it.  I tend to say yes to everything that comes along in an attempt to be involved and to “help” others out.  In the end, I become a total stress case, and do not accomplish many things on MY list of things to do because I’m always [...]

I am not alone…

Well, in doing some research this morning, I have discovered a few other blogs involving intercollegiate debate.  Tuna Snider (University of Vermont) has the Global Debate blog that tracks debate activities in other countries as well as the US.  Andy Ellis (Baltimore Debate Project) has begun a blog tracking his efforts at fostering debate in urban [...]

Blogging – its an adventure!

Blogging is truly a whole other world.  I have spent a while (probably the last hour and a half or so) exploring different ways to increase participation in my blog, things to include in my sidebar, etc.  Its amazing the number of blogs out there and I’m amazed that someone has not already started a [...]

Mostly quiet…

Not a whole lot of exciting stuff to talk about today.  I spent this morning/afternoon trying to get more of the condo de-cluttered and ready to “stage”.  I did get a great deal on free boxes and packing supplies via freecycle (which I urge everyone to use – its a great resource).  I am beginning [...]

Speaking up and speaking out…

Well, I’ve decided I have something to say.  I don’ t know that anyone will care about what I have to say, but I’ll say it just the same.  My hope for this blog is a few things…

first, that it will be a place I can send students to find interesting and controversial subjects that [...]