1. Using Friendly Controversy
Design Question 5 - Element 30:
How do you use friendly controversy to maintain student engagement?

2. Before we begin…
Before we begin talking about element 30, let’s be sure there is an understanding about how the elements in Design Question 5 are related. This is important as you plan your lessons. While watching the below video, please take notes about how the elements in Design Question 5 are related.
Click here for the video.

3. How are the elements in Design Question 5 related to each other?
After watching the video, you should have noticed that all of the elements have one common goal and that is to engage students in the learning process. Each element provides a different tactic for meeting the same goal. We hope you also noticed that while all of these elements are contained under the category “Enacted on the Spot”, student engagement can and should be planned for in advance. However, you will still need to read your students and apply some of these strategies as you notice the overall energy of the group becoming low.
Now, let’s talk about element 30, specifically.

4. Review Teacher and Student Evidence NOTE: This list of evidence is not all inclusive but is instead a list of possible examples.

5. Review Scale for Element 30

6. Desired Effect in the Students
The desired effect is, “students cognitively engage or re-engage as a result of the use of friendly controversy.” To receive an Innovating rating, the teacher must monitor and make accommodations so that every student in their classroom achieves this desired effect.

7. Let’s Begin with the Basics
First we need a complete understanding of element 30, using friendly controversy. As you watch the below video, jot down notes that will help you form a definition of friendly controversy. This understanding will go a long way in helping you to successfully implement element 30 in your classroom. Click here for the video. Note: You will only need to watch from the 4 minute and 45 second mark to the end in order to learn about using friendly controversy in the classroom.

8. Video Question Q: What is friendly controversy?
A: The main components of friendly controversy are introducing a topic about which students have differing opinions. The students should seek to explain and defend their stance in a FRIENDLY way. These interactions will need to be monitored to ensure that students are displaying respect for one another and that there is an emphasis on the ideas or opinions and not the person who holds that view. There are many different strategies for incorporating friendly controversy into the classroom.

9. Task
While watching the below video, please identify how the teacher is using friendly controversy as he is interacting with the students. After watching the video you will be asked to identify the teacher and student evidence to rate the teacher on this element. Click here for the video. If the hyperlink doesn’t work, please log into and then copy/paste this link:

10. Video Question
Q: How is this teacher using friendly controversy as he is interacting with his students? A: This teacher has asked his students to look at the solution to a math problem and rate it based on a scale that they are using in class. The students worked in pairs to determine where they would rate the solution on the scale. They are asked to present their rating, using evidence to back it up. As the students are taking their stance, the teacher is asking probing questions and pushing them to take a second look at the scale to determine whether spelling is a part of the rating.

11. Task
On the next slide is the teacher and student evidence. What evidence did you see and were able to document? Use this to rate the teacher as you walk through the next few slides.

12. Review Teacher and Student Evidence What did you see?

13. Review Teacher and Student Evidence What did we see?

14. How to Rate Teacher and Student Evidence
You can only give credit for what you see.
Teacher structures mini-debates about the content.
The teacher engaged in a mini-debate with the pair of students featured on the video.
Teacher elicits different opinions on content from members of the class.
The teacher has the students organized in groups and each group is prepared to present their assessment of where the solution should be rated on the scale.
Students engage in friendly controversy activities with enhanced engagement.
The students all appear to be engaged in listening to the debate between the teacher and the students as evidenced by their posture and eyes focused at the front of the classroom.

15. Review Scale for Element 30

16. How we Rated the Teacher
This teacher earned an Applying rating for element 30. The teacher used friendly controversy techniques to maintain student engagement and monitored the majority of students for evidence of the effect. He does this by scanning the room consistently, as well as having each of the groups present their rating with evidence. He did not receive an Innovating rating because there is no evidence on the video that the teacher adapted or created new strategies for unique student needs and situations in order for the desired effect to be present in all students. The good news is that your evaluator will be able to see everything that is taking place in your classroom and talk to both you and your students!

17. What is next?
First, start with a self-evaluation. What teacher and/or student evidence can you identify for element 30 in your classroom? What rating do you think you would receive on the scale for this element?
Now that you have determined where you rate on the scale, take some time to identify what you need to change or improve upon in order to grow to a higher rating on the scale.
The resources on the following slide may be useful in helping you to get started.

18. Additional Resources Log into www. effectiveeducators
Additional Resources Log into to access the first two resources.
Strategies for Using Friendly Controversy This article provides several different ideas for incorporating friendly controversy in your lessons. If the hyperlink doesn’t work, copy/paste the link:
Video of a 7th grade math class example:
How to: Close the Achievement Gap by Seeking Multiple Perspectives
Prezi presentation about how to execute friendly controversy efficiently into a classroom

19. Is this element in your PGP? Then you need to…
sign into Click on the Growth tab and then click on the Plans option. Open your current plan and fill out a new Reflection Log, answering the appropriate questions.
decide how you will change your teaching as a result of viewing this module.
execute your change, reflect on its impact, and fill out another Reflection Log in iObservation.

20. Further questions?
Here are resources in case you have further questions:
Your evaluator
Another evaluator on your campus
Your school’s classroom practice mentor (CPM)