Source: Richard M. Felder and Linda K. Silverman, "Learning and Teaching Styles in Engineering Educaiton", Engineering Education, 78(7), pp 674-681, 1988. Available online
Relevant Random Thoughts Articles:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Audience Focus – Instructor can respond to individuals | Or instructor may ignore audience |
| Versatile & Flexible | Inappropriate lecture form may be used. |
| Easily updated | Stagnation |
| low tech – little to go wrong | Murphy’s Law |
| Acceptable & Familiar | Passivity |
| Can incorporate learning principles | Few learning principles may be satisfied |
| Live contact | boredom |
| Professor efficient ( easy to prepare. ) | inadequate or over preparation |
| Time-efficient – address large number of students. | False economy |
| Instructor control | Lack of individualization |
| Anyone can lecture | Anyone can lecture ? |
| Potentially outstanding for motivation and conveying info. | When its bad its really really bad |
| Can be exhilarating for the professor | Extremely stressful |
| Student learning can be high | Lack of supporting material |
6.3.1 Preparation
- Actors have a script and rehearsals; Lecturers have class notes.
- Paradox: Teacher needs to be thoroughly prepared, but flexible enough to adjust to dynamic conditions.
- Some instructor include “stage directions” in their note. ( Jokes, stories, announcements, questions, etc. )
- Review notes before class.
- Don’t teach from someone else’s notes
- Be enthusiastic and interested.
- Arrive early – Set up room, chat with students.
6.3.2 Presentation skills
- Indicate start of class
- Attention grabber
- Include variety in tone, style, manners, etc.
- Voice: Project clearly, loudly, with clear diction, proper pronunciation. Avoid slang.
- Notes should generally be an outline of what you want ot talk about, not a prepared text.
- Avoid distracting words and mannerisms.
- Employ variety of stance and position, but don’t pace or “wobble”.
- Employ props if appropriate.
- Blackboard vs. overhead ( vs . . . )
- Face audience
- Students want to copy everything written
- Pre-printed transparencies are problemenatic, unless there are handout copies
- Don’t block student’s view
- Pay attention to audience, and adjust as needed.
6.4.1 Answering
6.4.2 Asking