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BEO Post 4

Dear all,

Hope this finds you well.

Thank you for all the questions submitted. As a result of these, we are bringing you a very informative post below.

Enjoy the read and make sure you log in again next week.

 

Kamila & the Oxford International team

 

PRESENTATION EVENTS

Question:

Could we have background music playing during our presentation?

Answer:

Yes, background music is allowed. However, it is the team’s responsibility to ensure that it does not interfere with what they are saying. Also, do keep in mind that the computer (and background music) will need to be operated by one of the team members (not a teacher). This team member does not count as a participant.

 

Question:

Will there be penalties if we do not have a traditional PowerPoint presentation. In the guidelines, text/visual aids appear optional, but I wanted to double check.

Answer:

No, there would be no penalty. However, visual aids ARE one of the assessed rubrics. That being said, costumes, props or video would also count as visual aids so it is entirely up to the team what they decide to do.

 

DEBATE

Question:

Is it possible for you to explain a little bit more about what you mean by “Evaluate your own biases”?

Answer:

Bias is the tendency to favour a particular point of view or to accept conclusions that agree with one’s beliefs and discard conclusions that disagree with them. One would then present this particular point of view or the conclusions that agree with their beliefs instead of other equally valid alternatives. When we say ‘evaluate your own biases’, we want to encourage students to look at ALL alternatives, not just the ones that resonate with their personal opinions or preferences. A reflective approach to one’s opinion is one of the critical thinking skills that we want to develop in our students.

 

Question:

“The aim of the debate is to decide whether schools have the right to ban access to digital devices for private use during school hours?” What exactly would be considered school hours? Class time and breaks, excluding the time before and after classes? Or anytime in the school grounds, while it is open?

Answer:

School hours is all the time students spend on the school grounds, from the moment they enter the school until they leave.

 

CREATIVE EVENTS

Question:

When it says we can use 2 songs or 2 dances or 1 of each, if we dance to a song, how will that be considered? Can you expand on that, please? Songs as in real music or sung by the students?

Answer:

A dance to a recorded background music/song = 1 dance

A dance while students sing = 1 dance + 1 song

A dance to recorded music and a song performed = 1 dance + 1 song

 

Question:

Can we use sound effects? To what extent?

Answer:

Yes, you can use sound effects and there is no limit on this, as long as you think it will not affect negatively on any of the judging criteria. Do keep in mind that the computer (for background music/effects) must be operated by one of the students.

 

Question:

When the play is going on, where will the computer be to play the song(s) if we choose to use them and/or the sound effects?

Answer:

This may vary depending on the venue but it is typically set on the side of the stage or just below the stage.

 

Question:

Will there be space to place the props and any costume needed during the play?

Answer:

If you mean will there be space at the venue, then the answer is yes.

 

Question:

Can the students use famous brand names in their script? (Starbucks, Instagram, etc.)

Answer:

Yes, that is fine.

 

Question:

The guidelines state that only two songs are allowed during the play without penalty. Is background music included in this criteria or only songs performed by the students?

Answer:

The number refers to songs performed by students. Background music does not count.

 

Question:

Are silhouettes for characters and scenery considered props? Are other light sources, like flashlights, also considered props?

Answer:

Yes, all of the above count as props and are the full responsibility of the team.

 

Question:

For the light source, can colour filters be used as mood lighting? If so, will colour filters be available or can we bring our own?

Answer:

Unfortunately, for health and safety reasons (the Red Headlights get very hot!) we will NOT allow any filters to be used. Also, as per my previous post, only Oxford International staff will be allowed to operate the light.

 

Question:

Does the light change its colour?

Answer:

No, it does not.

 

Question:

Can students get out of the shade?

Answer:

As per my previous post, one student can appear on the side of or in front of the screen.

 

Question:

Can we make a free text or should it be exactly as the myth is?

Answer:

The students are expected to produce an original script about the beliefs and assumptions (shadows) that currently shape THEIR reality.