Oxford-style Debates in Telecommunication and Computer Science Education

TL;DR

This paper explores the application of Oxford-style debating as an innovative educational method in telecommunication and computer science, highlighting its features, challenges, and benefits through practical examples and feedback from industry professionals.

Contribution

It introduces Oxford-style debating as a novel teaching approach in technical fields, detailing its implementation, challenges, and potential to enhance critical thinking in telecommunication and computer science education.

Findings

Debating improves critical thinking skills among students and professionals.

Participants report increased engagement and understanding of complex topics.

The method is effective for discussing emerging issues like cybersecurity.

Abstract

Oxford-style debating is a well-known tool in social sciences. Such formal discussions on particular topics are widely used by historians and sociologists. However, when we try to go beyond standard thinking, it turns out that Oxford-style debating can be a great educational tool in telecommunication and computer science. This article presents this unusual method of education at technical universities and in the IT industry, and describes its features and challenges. Best practices and examples of debating are provided, taking into account emerging topics in telecommunications and computer science, such as cybersecurity. The article also contains feedback from IT engineers who participated in Oxford-style debates. All this aims to encourage this form of education in telecommunication and computer science.