The document introduces the Eracism Project, a global student debate organized by the Flat Classroom Project. Some key points: - The Eracism Project will have an asynchronous online debate format using VoiceThread on the topic "The use of Facebook by students around the world does more harm than good." - Students will be divided into three brackets based on their age and will take affirmative or opposition sides in the debate. - Guidelines are provided on debate structure and protocols, the judging process, and using VoiceThread to record arguments and rebuttals. - Participating teachers and students are encouraged to join the Eracism wiki site and ObaWorld virtual world to collaborate and share resources for

1. The Eracism Project
“We are eracism”
http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/
Kickoff Meeting Feb 12/13 2013

2. Introducing the Flat
Classroom®
 Who is the Flat Classroom®? • Where can you find us?
flatclassroomproject.net
 Directors and co-founders flatclassrooms.ning.com
Julie Lindsay @julielindsay flatclassroomconference.com
Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher @flatclassroom
#flatclass
 Coordinator: Lisa Durff @durff

3. What do we do?
 Flat Classroom® Projects LLC
 Flat Classroom® Project and all other projects
 Certified Teacher program
 Flat Classroom® Conference and live Events
Inc. a 501(c) 3 Non profit
 Conference
 to help scholarship students from areas of the
world in need.
 Digiteen Project

4. Flat Classroom®
Global Projects
@flatclassroom
@digiteen
@flatclassroom
@netgened
@eracismproject
@flatclassroom
@flatclasskids

5. Published by
PEARSON
January
2012
www.flatclassroombook.com
Your step-by-step guide to
creating a global classroom.
Join the Flat Classrooms community
on Facebook to learn more, share Read the book and join
ideas and be inspired.
www.facebook.com/flatclassrooms the community!

6. Flat Classr oom ®
Conference
a 501(c)3 nonpr ofit
Japan 2013
Japan – March 8-10, 2013
flatclassroomconference.com

7. What is the Eracism Project?
• A global student debate
• Asynchronous debating style
• A global community – classrooms,
students and teachers connecting and
communicating
• Best-practice debating format
• Topics that help to build understanding
of global and cultural issues

8. Eracism 2013-1
Debate Question:
”The use of Facebook
by students around the world
to communicate with one another
does more harm than good.”

9. OBA World
• Dane and Ruth from OBA World

10. Building the Eracism Project
and Community

11. Eracism Wiki – eracism.flatclassroomproject.org

12. Debating Protocols
http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/2012+Debate+Protocols
Here are the steps for you to follow to stay on the debate timeline:
Communicate with your opponents – teachers, please contact each
other regarding timeline and when you will be ready to record in
Voicethread.
Begin your research on the debate topic, teach, discuss, hold mock
debates within your class. Divide your class into the affirmative and
opposition teams regardless of your position in the Eracism project.

13. Debating protocols
Debate Flow: 1st Proposition glance… Opposition Speaker -> 2nd Proposition Speaker ->2nd Opposition Speaker -> 3rd Opposition
Debating roles at a Speaker -> 1st
Rebuttal -> 3rd Proposition Rebuttal
Affirmative / Proposition Negative / Opposition
1.First Proposition speaker 1.First Opposition speaker
Defines the topic Defines the topic
2.Allocates topics to speakers. 2.Allocates topics to speakers
3.Introduces main points of the arguments 3.Introduces the main points of the arguments
4.Rebuttal
1.Second Proposition speaker 1.Second Opposition speaker
Rebuttal Rebuttal
2.Arguments and examples 2.Arguments and examples
1.Third Proposition Rebuttal speaker 1.Third Opposition Rebuttal speaker
Rebuttal Rebuttal
2.Summary 2.Summary
3.Conclusion 3.Conclusion
How to structure a rebuttal point in 4 steps:
1) What did they say? – State the point you want to argue [Signalling]
2) Why is it wrong? – Say why your team disputes the point, make your counter claim. [State]
3) Evidence or justification – Use example(s) or justification to support your counter claim [Support]
4) Contrast / Summarize – Explain the importance of your argument [Summarize]
http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/2012+Debate+Protocols

14. Brackets
• Bracket A – 11-12 year olds
• Bracket B – 13-14 year olds
• Bracket C – 15/16 and 17/18 year olds

16. Every school debates twice
• If you are eliminated in the first round
you move into “persuade me again
playoffs” for a chance at a win in
another bracket.

17. Judging Committee
• Marcia Alessi
• Julie Lindsay
• Eva Brown
• Volunteers from around the world.

18. Voicethread Leadership
• Eva Brown
• Steve Muth, Voicethread
• Vicki Davis
• http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/
VoiceThread+Info

19. VT in Eracism Project
• Create an account at VoiceThread.com
• Go to the Eracism wiki
• Locate your Bracket – A, B or C
• Go to the appropriate slide for your
task, i.e., student stating case, student
rebuttal, judges, comments
• Platforms – Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone -
apps

20. Procedure to Record
in Voicethread
• Debate Flow: 1st Proposition Speaker -> 1st Opposition Speaker -> 2nd Proposition Speaker ->2nd
Opposition Speaker -> 3rd Opposition Rebuttal -> 3rd Proposition Rebuttal
Therefore,
• On Slide 2 - "Stating the Case" slide -
• The Affirmative--1st Proposition Speaker--records then the Negative--1st Opposition Speaker--has 24
hours to respond and record or sooner.
• Still on Slide 2 - "Stating the Case" slide
• 2nd Proposition Speaker records then waits for the 2nd Opposition Speaker to record.
• Slide 3 - "Rebuttals and Closing Statement" Slide –
• 3rd Opposition Rebuttal records on the Rebuttal slide followed by the 3rd Proposition Rebuttal.
• It is important, very important, that the debating teams communicate with each other as to when they will
be recording. No emails or notifications are sent to either team to indicate when one team has recorded -
YOU must do that communication. Please be considerate of the breaks that each school takes and work
with your schedules.

23. Social Media
• Twitter - @eracismproject
• Hashtag - #eracism, #flatclass

24. What is next?
• Teachers please join the wiki
– http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/
– Bring your students in ObaWorld
Follow instructions on this page:
http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/Places+to+Join
• Be ready to debate March 1!
• Start teaching! -
http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/Teaching

25. Sharing Resources
• On the Eracism wiki:
– eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/Debate+T
opic+13-1
• In ObaWorld
– create a page
– start a forum

26. Please Stay Connected!
• Join ObaWorld!
• Teacher meetings will be held after
Round 1 and after Round 2 (semi-finals)
• Voicethread Bootcamp – Monday,
February 18th, 2013 – 8:00 p.m. EST
• Judges Training – the week of February
25th, 2013

27. Questions?