When you first learned you had to engage in an online formal debate 
(did it start with fear, disbelief, excitement, anger??) How did you deal with your initial response?
My first thoughts around the debate were how to begin.  While I am quite confident in my research abilities, putting the findings into a debate format (online at that) was more challenging.  Being the first to present, I surmised that I would simply have to jump in - which is what Lisa and I did.  She had found an excellent resource which she shared with the class and we went from there.
2. During the preparing of your debate - 
Lisa and I meddled through the preparation and didn't coordinate as much as we might have liked - probably mostly due to shorter timelines.
3. as you were posting your debate - 
Here goes!
4. reviewing feedback & preparing the rebuttal - 
As I was arguing 'for' electronic health records, and this is the position that I would normally take, I was surprised at some of the feedback to the argument - both positions that hadn't occurred to me, and those that are often voiced but should be addressed in any implementation plan.
5. completing the self-evaluation? 
I enjoyed the self-evaluation.  As the assignment seemed to move along quickly, the self-evaluation gave me an opportunity to reflect upon what I learned and how I contributed to the learning of the class.
6. Where are you now in your learning curve about debating and arguing and putting yourself on the line about an issue...
I didn't have the opportunity to argue against my own personal beliefs, so perhaps I wasn't as challenged as my partner.  However, the debate format forces one to clearly define one's position - there's no sitting on the fence.  With most of these issues, the reality is, we all have some concerns in both directions.
  
7. Was this an effective teaching/learning strategy? Why? Why not? 
Yes.  I enjoyed the debate process as a leader and as a participant.  As a leader, it gave me the opportunity to "teach" my classmates about an issue.  As a participant, I was able to experience the different teaching styles of others.
8. Other thoughts, feelings, feedback?
I enjoy courses where there is some group work aspect - though the success is often dependant on one's partner/classmates.  I have had two previous courses in which the prof scheduled the weeks Wed-Tues.  I found this format worked extremely well for me as my work schedule is M-F 9-5.  The Wed-Tues format had the weekend falling mid-week, allowing for me to participate more fully (which is not to say I can't or don't participate after a workday - it is just more difficult).