By Khan
Key words; Lecture
method, Preparation of Lectures, Content and Structure Lecture method,
Key Features Lecture method, Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Lecture Method, Comparison of lecture with other methods,
Lecture method
Lecture
method is the oldest method of teaching; historically the lecture method can be
traced back to the 5th century BC. It was adopted by Muslim and Christian in
the early medieval times in the Universities. The word lecture was derived from
the Latin word lectare, means to read aloud, which identifies it as
telling’ method. A lecture is a proper organized verbal presentation of subject
matter. Bligh (1972), defines lecture method as is a period of more or less
uninterrupted talk from a teacher Percival and Ellington (1988) stated that “a lecture is 'a didactic instructional
method, involving one-way communication from the active presenter to the more
or less passive audience”
Lecture
method
is based on the philosophy of idealism, it is consists of one-way communication from the teacher to student, in this
method teacher some time can ask questions from the students to establish a
communication link. But skilled lecturers make their lectures more
thought-provoking and interactive for their students, to enhance their deeper understanding
and learning about a topic.
The teacher also clarifies
the topic to the students by using different gestures and simple devices like
changing voice, change in position in the classroom and his facial expressions.
In this method the teachers is
more active than students. Students are passive in lecture method but the
teacher try to get their attention by asking questions to keep the students
active in the classroom.
Lecture
method
is the most economical of teaching and it can be used to teach a large number
of students. It saves time and also covers the subject matter on time. It is
very easy and simplest method for teachers and does not need any arrangements
or preparation.
This method has shortcomings
but it is still the most widely used method in today world. The lecture method
can be made more effective by using audio visual aids, flash cards and charts
etc. The teacher should encourage the students to ask questions in classroom
and discussion the part of the lecture where the concept is difficult to
understand. The content of the lecture should be logically arranged and to levels
of the students.
Preparation of Lectures
The
effectiveness of a lecture is defended on the Preparation of Lecture,
presentation is more important but there are other key points that affect
the quality of a presentation. preparing a lecture the teacher should consider three
factors: first the purpose of the lecture, what teacher want to impart to his
students, second the content and the structure of the lecture, and third include
some key features to lecture plan.
Purpose
Lectures
are given for several reasons:
·
note-taking
lectures
·
problem-solving
lectures
·
overview lectures
·
motivational
lectures
For
all the above we need different kinds of lectures, for every purposes it is
important to state purpose of the lecture clearly and what type approach will
be needed to achieve that purpose. Some the teacher two types of purpose in one
lecture but it is sometimes fully successful in any single lecture.
Content and Structure Lecture method
The
selection of subject matter and structuring of its content is very important in
lecture method to ensure its optimum benefits for the learner in understanding.
The teacher mostly select too much content for teaching because he has command
over it, he ignore the level of the students in the process So, the teacher need
to select only relevant information which is needed by students and easy to
understand and learn it.
After
selecting the content, the teacher should properly plan and structured the
content. The approach must be from known to unknown and from easy to difficult so
the students understand it. There are three common steps of structuring lectures;
the classical, the problem centered and the sequential organization of content.
Key Features Lecture method
Some
key features must be included in the lectures for better effectiveness and understanding
of students. The following are the important key features.
·
The introduction of
the lecture is very important. For good and Effective openings of the
presentation the teacher need to gain the students' attention, motivate the
students and structure content an7d indicate the objective of the lecture.
·
Use the appropriate
audio-visual aids and charts for better understanding and clarity. All these
aids, charts, flash cards, whilst slides, videos, films and recordings must be well
prepared so the students in back of the class easily see them. All the
illustrations and diagrams are simple, brief and readable, handouts are concise
and well-structured and relevant to the topic.
·
The time allotted for a lecture is one hour,
the need to spear fifteen for the student’s involvement. The inclusion of
student activities, question answer session and provide opportunities for
student reflection or problem-solving. Teacher do not care for students
activities, but the research shows that active learning is essential for
understanding rather than passive learning.
Advantages and Disadvantages
of the Lecture Method
Advantages
of lecture method:
- Lectures do not require preparation.
- Lectures cover allot amount of content in a limited time.
- A large number of students can attend the Lecture at the same time.
- A Great speaker inspires their audience.
- In the Lecturer method a teacher can predict exactly what will happen during their speech.
- The teacher has full control in Lecturer method
- Learners do not feel any tension or threatened by the teacher while listening passively.
- Motivated Learners know how to listen and take notes during lecture.
- Learners do not like to share their notes with each other due examination point of view.
Disadvantages
or limitations of lecture method.
·
lecture method is against the principle of
learning by doing
·
lecture method makes the students passive
listeners in teaching learning process
·
lecture method does not take into
consideration the individual differences
·
In lecture method there is very little scope
for pupil activity
·
Lecture method encourages 'surface' learning,
which is unsuitable for 'deep' learning, understanding and problem solving
skills. it only facilitates rote memorization
·
Lecture method does not develop power of
critical thanking of the students
·
Lecture method is less effective for higher
cognitive development
·
the lecture method is widely used method in universities
·
lecture method is
as effective as other methods of teaching and for comprehension level but it is
less effective for higher cognitive levels
·
Lecture method is less effective for teaching practical
skills than demonstrations and laboratory work;
·
Discussions method is more effective than
lecture method for changing attitudes
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Effective Lecturer
Activity Lecturing Behaviors
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Explains
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Uses logical, organized approach
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States relationships
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Defines key terms
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Introduces
topics
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Clearly states objectives
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Overviews topic
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Links with past/future
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Uses
teaching aids
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Uses appropriate medium/equipment
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Ensures audibility/clearly visible
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Structures content clearly
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Questions
·
Asks questions clearly
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Uses problem solving questions
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Uses questions to explore, clarify
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