Moving Forward in Speech: Council Approves Computers for Extemp
By Jana Riggins, Speech Director | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 12:10 PM
The Legislative Council passed a staff proposal to allow speakers to use computers in the extemporaneous speaking preparation room under guidelines established by UIL. If the Commissioner of Education approves the amendment to the C&CR, the rule change will go into effect next school year.
Careful study of this issue has been ongoing. As soon as it became evident that computers in debate could be smoothly implemented statewide and most importantly, without negative results, I felt computers in extemp would be inevitable, but I was cautious. Maintaining the educational value of our contests and the particular skills they develop is of utmost importance, and I knew there were additional issues inherent in the extemporaneous speaking contest that would have to be considered.
Initially, I dialogued with college coaches in Texas and nationally, since collegiate forensic organizations already allow extemp speakers to use computers. As the National Catholic Forensic League took the bold step to include computers at their national high school tournament, I contacted the president of NCFL to discuss their rules and in the aftermath of their inaugural tournament, to examine any problems with implementation. The Catholic League officials were very positive about the change.
And so, I met with Charlene Strickland, our state contest director and Dwight Mutchler who manages our state contest prep room to discuss the feasibility and desirability of allowing computers. Roundtable discussions were scheduled at the Capital Conference where coaches from across the state attend. Strickland, along with Connie McKee of West Texas A&M University, Dr. Rich Edwards of Baylor University, and Randy Cox, Director of Forensics at the University of Texas were invited to present workshop sessions on the pros and cons of using computers in the draw room. Matthew Murrell presented a fascinating how-to session on electronic organizing, filing, retrieving to a standing room only crowd.
At the four regional Student Activity Conferences (formerly known as SuperConferences), speech coaches had opportunities to express opinions and concerns. The issue was discussed in the Leaguer and presented as an item under study before the Legislative Council, as more and more feedback was processed.
It was an important agenda item for the Texas Speech Communication Association UIL Advisory Committee, and I had the opportunity to present a program at the National Federation of High School Associations’ national speech director’s conference on the subject, where national trends were examined. I also had a discussion with Adam Jacobi from the NFL national office to investigate where NFL appeared to be heading, since NFL had earlier adopted the UIL guidelines for computers in debate.
The greatest concern voiced was, how would we police proper computer usage? Would laptops and tablet computers increase the likelihood that contestants would violate the rule prohibiting prepared speeches and outlines of speeches, masking pre-written speeches as articles? If they did, how difficult would it be for officials to verify a violation had occurred?
Additional concerns raised were cost and equity issues.
I don’t think we can allow fear of ethical violations to deter us from making decisions about our contests that are in the best interest for our students educationally. Otherwise, we never would have integrated computers into CX and LD debate. We simply must insure that our rules support the harshest of penalties, if indeed a student is caught cheating.
Increased monitoring might necessitate additional officials in the draw room, but I do not know any district or regional site where officials examine every single hard copy article in every single extemper’s files. Time itself prohibits this within a tournament schedule.
Cost might have been a legitimate deterrent back when we first began consideration of this rule change. However, the cost of netbooks has dropped as low as $199 in some cases. Many of your students have their own laptop. Weigh that against the cost of the paper, toner, copier, dollies and tubs you are paying for year-in and year-out. To me, there is a tradeoff in expenditures. In the long run, I believe you’ll find computers to be cost efficient. For schools that must fly to tournaments, there will be no more extra baggage fees for every tub shipped on the plane. One coach reported having to pay an additional $400 just to transport their tubs to State Meet.
File tubs consume space on buses or vans meant for transporting students. If squads choose to use laptops or tablet computers, schools can travel to tournaments with more students, rather than equipment.
In order to keep our speaking contests on the cutting edge of skills students need in the 21st century, it has become evident that computers in the prep room are a necessary addition.
Years ago when UIL recognized the advent of the Internet and moved to allow contestants to download and print articles in hard copy to include in their extemp files, a wealth of information was opened to students whose schools could not afford multiple news magazine and journal subscriptions.
Now, being able to file articles electronically for use in the prep room will increase the demand on students’ ability in determining the quality of their sources, since the quantity of sources will not be limited by how much paper and toner and copying time a school allows. Perhaps now the “art” of extemporaneous speaking will lie in analysis, which is where I believe the focus should have always been.
Let’s not forget the eco-friendliness of less paper and less toner. And those speakers concerned with transitioning from high school to collegiate forensics should find the transition easier.
Guidelines for the use of computers in Extemporaneous Speaking contests will reflect much of what is included in our guidelines for computer use in debate, with additional provisions to address the individual nuances of the extemp contests. Host sites will not be responsible for providing power supply.
Remember: computers are not mandated by this rule change. Schools that wish to continue with tubs full of hard copy files can do so. This change merely opens the door for schools that would like to integrate the use of technology. The use of laptops and tablet computers simply becomes an option.
UIL understands that you need time to examine what best meets the needs of your own students. You also need time to examine budget considerations of your school, which are impossible to change now that budgets are already set. That is why the rules governing extemporaneous speaking will not change this school year. If approved by the Commissioner, this change will go into effect for districts, regions and state in 2012.
It is time to move forward with this rule change. Real-world research involves the use of computers. You and I organize and file electronically on our jobs every day. Our students deserve the opportunity to increase their abilities within this realm.