LECTURE METHOD
The lecture method is the most widely used form of presentation. Every instructor should know how to develop and present a lecture. They also should understand the advantages and limitations of this method. Lectures are used for introduction of new subjects, summarizing ideas, showing relationships between theory and practice, and reemphasizing main points. The lecture method is adaptable to many different settings, including either small or large groups. Lectures also may be used to introduce a unit of instruction or a complete training program. Finally, lectures may be combined with other teaching methods to give added meaning and direction.
The lecture method of teaching needs to be very flexible since it may be used in different ways. For example, there are several types of lectures such as the illustrated talk where the speaker relies heavily on visual aids to convey ideas to the listeners. With a briefing, the speaker presents a concise array of facts to the listeners who normally do not expect elaboration of supporting material. During a formal lecture, the speaker's purpose is to inform, to persuade, or to entertain with little or no verbal participation by the students. When using a teaching lecture, the instructor plans and delivers an oral presentation in a manner that allows some participation by the students and helps direct them toward the desired learning outcomes.
Advantages of
the Lecture Method
The lecture method has a few advantages that has
kept it as the standard approach to teaching for so long. Below is a list,
followed by some descriptions of each of these.
- Teacher
control: Because the lecture
is delivered by one authoritative figure – a teacher, professor, or
instructor of some other kind – that person has full reign of the
direction of the lesson and the tone of the classroom.
- New
material: Lectures are
literally just long-winded explanations of information, deemed important
by the lecturer. As such, students can absorb large quantities of new
material.
- Effortless: The lecture method makes the
learning process mostly effortless on the part of the students, who need
only pay attention during the lecture and take notes where they see fit.
Disadvantages
of the Lecture Method
What’s funny about the lecture method is many of
the pros listed above could actually be seen as cons, as well. Many don’t see
the nature of the lecture method as helpful in the least, and you’ll find the
explanations as to why listed below.
- One-way: People who are against the lecture
method see it as a one-way street. Professors dictate information to
students, who have little to no opportunity to provide their own personal
input, or protest the information being delivered. What if the professor
is wrong, or what if the student disagrees with the professor on a
fundamental ideology in their lecture? Well, the student just has to sit
down and take it; sometimes, the student will even be forced to agree with
the lecture if they want a passing grade.
- Passive: Not only do people see the lecture
method as a biased, one-way road, but they also see it as a wholly passive
experience for students. This isn’t just harmful because of the ways we
described above. Not being actively engaged in a discussion over certain
material can make the material itself seem worthless to a student. After
all, the point of an education isn’t to be programmed to think a certain
way, according to your instructor’s lectures, but to critically analyze
the information being provided and learn how to apply it in different
contexts.
- Strong
speaker expectations: The
lecture method can be disadvantageous to the professor, as well. Not all
academics can be expected to have the same level of public speaking skill.
What if a teacher is a genius in his or her field, knows the material from
every angle, and is enthusiastic about the subject… but has trouble
speaking in front of large groups? The quality of a professor’s course should
not suffer because they are unable to prepare a decent lecture.
No comments:
Post a Comment