Is the lecture an outmoded teaching method that inhibits active learning
or is it a potentially powerful tool that is an essential part of every
teacher's repertoire?
This book presents up-to-date research on the different types of
lecture, on what constitutes effective lecturing, and on the impact of
lecturing when done appropriately and well. It fills the void in
professional development resources on how to lecture, validating the
practice when it's aligned with the educational mission of creating
engaged learning environments.
Christine Harrington and Todd Zakrajsek demonstrate that, rather than
lecture and active learning being mutually exclusive or either-or
propositions, the effectiveness of the former can be greatly enhanced
when combined with active learning techniques through what they define
as dynamic lecturing; and provide context about the need to balance
these approaches to meet the needs of students as they progress from
novice to advanced learners.
They present a range of strategies that enhance student learning during
lectures. They open each chapter with the evidence behind each lecturing
strategy they describe, and conclude with practical suggestions for
quick application in the classroom. They offer readers the lecture
planning and evaluation tools for reworking their lectures in ways that
provide high-level engagement and achievement for their students.
The opening section of the book explores the benefits of lecturing and
describes the different modalities of lecture, with an assessment of the
advantages and disadvantages of each. The second section focuses on
educational strategies to enhance the lecture, including, among others,
activating prior knowledge, emphasizing important points, effectively
using multi-media, making concepts meaningful via examples, and the
importance of retrieval practice. Each covers the underlying theory and
research, and advice on how to align the engagement techniques with
instructional goals. The book concludes with guidance on effective
planning for lecturing and helping chairs, administrators, or peers
engage in effective evaluation of the lecture.
This is a dynamic resource for all faculty interested in revitalizing
their teaching. The strategies are succinct, easy to incorporate into
lectures and, done well, will have immediate impact and increase student
mastery of course content.
