11/20/09
Teaching Methods::Lecture
THE LECTURE
As the lecture is one of the common methods of teaching, here are a few DO'S and DON'T'S for a lecturer.
1. DO plan your lesson in advance. This constitutes the skill of lesson planning.
2. DO prepare good audio-visual material and use them properly.
3. DO always keep the audience in mind. The material should be appropriate to the needs and background of the students.
4. DO recognize the limitations of time. Highlighting significant points is more important than "Covering the portion".
5. DO plan illustrative anecdotes or case reports. A carefully chosen "for instance" is very helpful in clarifying a difficult point.
6. DO plan to ask questions or pose problems at intervals to create and sustain interest.
7. DO try to keep the attention of the students throughout the lecture. This is done by Stimulus Variation (Refer Stimulus Variation).
8. DO show enthusiasm and interest in the subject and students.
9. DO summarise the main points towards the end of the lecture.
10. DO evaluate your performance.
11. DON'T lecture (give a monologue) for more than 20 minutes at a stretch.
12. DON'T be too sensitive to yawns, restlessness, whispered conversations etc. on the part of the students. They should not be taken as personal affront, but as pointers to change the strategy of presentation.
13. DON'T try to be complete.
14. DON'T mention anything only once.
15. DON'T restate. CREATE !
16. DON'T confess. PROFESS!
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT LECTURE
1. Speech making = Instruction.
2. Covering information = Teaching.
3. Being heard = Communication.
4. No questions = Understanding.
5. Pleased group reaction = Learning.
6. Teacher activity = Student involvement.
7. In predominant use = Successful.
THE INGREDIENTS OF A GOOD LECTURE
PRESENTATION AND ORGANISATION:
Explained relevance of the topic
Audibility and clarity
Enthusiasm
Speed of lecture ( fast/ slow/ optimum )
Emphasis on important points
Explanation with appropriate examples
Optimum use of audio-visual aids
Eye to eye contact
Ability to hold attention
Systematic presentation
Recapitulation and closure
CONTENT
Correctness of facts
Amount of factual content (too much/too little/optimum)
