| Formal Assignments (high stakes) | Assignment Objectives | Scaffolding Ideas – Ways to use Informal, low stakes activities to help students achieve success on formal assignment |
| Position presentation on course topic or event | Summarize information Synthesize and analyze arguments | Summarize the argument of a reading (one-minute micro-presentation) Debate two opposing views (in class debate) Identify strengths and weaknesses in an author’s stance on an issue (paired or small group discussion) |
| Formal presentation of a solution to large-scale problem | Deliberate diverse perspectives and opinions of an issueUse reasoning and evidence to persuade | Problem-solution presentation about weekly topics (micro-presentation) In-class debate on components of a larger topic Evidence poster (in class poster presentation) |
| Poster presentation for external audiences | Succinctly report progressTranslate technical information | Weekly progress presentations (in-class micro presentations with one visual) Gallery walk display of past projects (in-class) “Translation Talks” – in class micro-presentations based on translating technical materials to common language |
Dannels, D.P., Palmerton, P. R., & Housley Gaffney, A. L, (2017). Oral communication in the
disciplines: A resource for teacher development and training (p. 72). Anderson, SC: Parlor Press.