There are lots of factors that influenced our decision to host the SDI online. A few of the key reasons:
In addition to the competitive aspect, we realize the community component of debate camp is very important to students – we love that too and we’re going to do everything we can to maintain that. We’ll be doing some sessions live where students can join and meet each other and there will be opportunities for collaboration on the online platforms both through video and in discussion forums.
Students attending the online sessions of the SDI are required to have a computer, camera (external or on their computer), microphone (external or on their computer), and access to reliable internet. If you are interested in our recommendations for other technology, let us know.
We realize that this potentially raises access issues for some families and will work as much as possible to have our financial aid awards this year reflect those needs.
You can find a sample daily schedule here.
The online days of the SDI will largely model daily activities at the previous brick and mortar SDI’s with more flexibility built in. Daily instruction will typically include a lecture, research activity, speaking drill and practice speech or debate. Lectures will likely combine some pre-recorded options as well as lectures that are recorded live and then posted later. A sample of some of those types of lectures can be found on our YouTube page. We also have a digital classroom with a sample day set up on the same platform that MSU uses for online instruction. If you’re interested in seeing that, just email us for login instructions.
A huge upside to online instruction is access to high quality contributors from all over the globe. As part of our SDI 2019 beta-testing for remote contributors, students heard lectures from, Michael Horowitz, professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania and 2000 NDT Champion, Aaron Hardy, National Debate Coaches Association and NDT semi-finalist, and Alyssa Resar, Research Fellow at Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and multi-year TOC attendee.
The early application deadline for the 4 week program and Spartan Scholars is April 5. Please note that in order to receive the tuition discount, we must receive your non-refundable $1000 deposit by April 5 as well.
The traditional application deadline for the 4 week programs is May 17.
The application deadline for the 2 week program is May 17. A $300 dollar deposit should accompany 2 week applications.