Abstract

The first part of the article deals with the topic of the debate from a theoretical point of view, clarifying its conceptual meaning, methodological innovation and educational values. The next step, after comparing the debate with ancient dialectics and medieval disputatio, examines the contemporary regulated debate and documents how it is treated in the MIUR Orientamenti, in the INDIRE websites and in the Rai culture programmes. Finally, the last part describes the potential and variables of debate at school, introducing an experience currently underway and which, once concluded, will be reported in a future article.