Teaching and Learning > DOCUMENTS
Speed Dating and TRS - How to Court Controversy
Sharon Harbottle (Bury Church of England High School and Specialist Humanities School)
You can download Sharon's PowerPoint presentation.
What happens when you apply the principles of Speed Dating to TRS?
A group finds themselves catapulted into speaking and listening, marking their cards and moving on at break neck speed. Issues are argued, points hinted at, allusions made and time is up.
What has been covered and what has been left out is important. Looks search the room, seeking to find the people with whom to resume conversation. Hopes are raised and others dashed, as the scramble to meet and exchange begins again.
In short, combine Speed Dating with TRS and you have Engagement - a way to introduce topics for further exploration.
The desire to explore issues of the current day, discuss theology and expound philosophical ideas becomes compelling when joined by the attraction of seeking out like minds. The initial limited time factor heightens the experience and expectations, and the heady mix can act as a catalyst. New bonds are made, not just between people, but with the subject matter. Who knows where that engagement will lead? But such methodology can Court Controversy, as well as the subjects discussed.
Is it morally acceptable to use such methods to spark TRS and related staff, or their students? Is it only a gimmick or does it have educational value?
Why is it successful in first raising interest in a subject, and then renewing enthusiasm in an established course?
Why not dare to make a date to deal with this dilemma?
Delegates will sample the experience and ‘speed –date’ as a method of exploring topics given by the speaker, for a few moments.
This page was originally on the website of The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies. It was transfered here following the closure of the Subject Centre at the end of 2011.
