Lecture Method: The Comprehensively Used Pedagogical Method: Dr. Radhika Kapur
Lecture Method: The Comprehensively Used Pedagogical Method: Dr. Radhika Kapur
Lecture Method: The Comprehensively Used Pedagogical Method: Dr. Radhika Kapur
Method
Abstract
Lecture method is regarded as the oldest method of teaching. The instructors are
making use of this method in educational institutions at all levels. It is based on the
philosophy of idealism. In the present existence, it is regarded as one of the commonly used
methods. In the implementation of this method, the instructors are making use of modern,
scientific, technical and pioneering methods of teaching. Apart from these, there are usage of
technologies as well. Within the classroom settings, computers and projectors are made use
of to impart information to the students in terms of lesson plans and academic concepts. The
instructors clarifies the content matter to the students, so they are able to acquire an
understanding of the lesson plans and academic concepts in an efficacious manner. The
instructors make use of gestures, simple devices by changing voice, positions and facial
expressions (Sharma, n.d.). The instructors are more active and students are passive. In the
lecture method, the instructors are the ones who play an important role in educating students.
They speak and students are meant to listen to them and understand.
The lecture method can be economical and can be used among large number of
students. It saves time and the main aim of this method is to cover the syllabus. It is the
simplest method and does not require any arrangements. But when the instructors are
delivering lectures, they need to be well-prepared in terms of the topics. Within the course of
teaching of the lesson plans, the students may have number of questions. Hence, they put
forward questions before their instructors. The instructors need to ensure, they provide factual
information and answer the questions in such way that all the problems and difficulties will
be clarified. This method is useful in the case of large classes. One of the major limitations of
this method is, it provides less scope for the activity of the students (Sharma, n.d.). It is
against the principle of learning by doing. It does not take into consideration any differences
among students. In some cases, when the students are not provided with the opportunities to
participate in any activity, they experience a decline in interest and enthusiasm. Therefore, it
is understood, the lecture method is common, but its limitations are not appreciated.
The students are different from each other in terms of their learning abilities. Some
students are sharp minded, who are able to acquire an understanding of the academic
concepts in just one lecture. Whereas, some students are slow in understanding even simple
concepts. The instructors need to be well-aware in terms of learning abilities of students.
Within the classroom settings, the students possess different learning abilities. Hence, the
lecture methods need to be planned in accordance to the learning abilities of the students.
When the students are having problems in acquiring an understanding of the lesson plans, the
instructors usually reiterate the concepts. In addition, the students are provided with
exercises, which help them to acquire an efficient understanding of the concepts. On the other
hand, when students are able to understand the concepts well, then normally reiteration is not
required and students are able to do well in studies. Therefore, when the instructors are able
to generate information in terms of learning abilities of the students, they are able to plan the
lecture in an appropriate manner as well as implement teaching methods that would be
beneficial to the students. In this manner, they are able to enrich the overall system of
education.
The instructors and the students need to be well-aware in terms of academic goals and
objectives. These are, bringing about improvements in teaching-learning methods,
instructional strategies and teaching-learning materials; making provision infrastructure,
amenities, and facilities; bringing about improvements in extra-curricular and creative
activities; making use of modern, scientific and innovative methods in instructional
strategies; bringing about improvements in seminars and conferences; implementing
beneficial and meaningful evaluation methods; managing resources in a well-organized
manner; forming pleasant and amiable terms and relationships with each other, leading to
effective growth and development of the students, and leading to enrichment of the overall
system of education. When the members of the educational institutions, irrespective of their
job positions in the hierarchy of the educational institutions are well-aware of the academic
goals and objectives, they will be able to carry out their job duties well. When the instructors
will be well-aware in terms of these academic goals and objectives, they will be able to plan
their lectures in an efficacious manner. Therefore, it is well-understood that being well-aware
of academic goals and objectives is an indispensable factor that will contribute significantly
in promoting student learning and formation of pleasant and amiable environment within the
classrooms as well as the overall educational institution.
When the instructors are delivering lectures, they need to ensure that the lecture is
well-organized (The Lecture Method, 2014). When the lecture is well-organized and
comprise of all the necessary information, the instructors will be able to facilitate student
learning. In the planning of the lecture, there are various factors that need to be taken into
account, i.e. introduction, body and conclusion. In the introduction, the instructors impart
information to the students in terms of what the lesson plan is about. The body comprises of
all the concepts and the necessary information and the conclusion summarises all the
important points and concluding statement. These are the vital factors that are needed to be
taken into account in the planning of lectures. Another important part of lectures is, the
instructors also need to impart information to the students in terms of preparation of
assignments, reports, projects and so forth. Therefore, it is well-understood, the preparation
of introduction, body and conclusion are regarded as crucial in not only planning the lecture
in a well-ordered manner, but also in promoting student learning. Furthermore, the students
are assisted in achievement of educational goals, in inculcation of the traits of morality and
ethics and in leading to their effective growth and development.
In higher educational institutions, the students are adults. When they come to class to
attend lectures, the instructors provide opportunities to the students to share their experiences.
In case of some academic subjects and lesson plans, the students are familiar with the
concepts, or they have experiences, which enable them to acquire an understanding of the
lesson plans in an appropriate manner. One of the major benefits of lecture methods is, the
students are provided with the opportunities to share their experiences. When the students
share meaningful and interesting experiences, they are able to form effective communication
terms with the instructors as well as fellow students. In this manner, the students form
positive viewpoints in terms of various aspects of the educational institutions and feel they
can freely express their viewpoints and perspectives. The experiences are professional as well
as personal in nature. The students share all kinds of experiences depending upon the subjects
and the concepts they are learning. Hence, in this manner, the students develop motivation
towards learning. Therefore, it is well-understood, providing opportunities to the students to
share their experiences is regarded as crucial in not only planning the lecture in an
appropriate manner, but also in promoting student learning.
Organizing Question-Answer Sessions
In learning and understanding academic subjects and lesson plans, the students
experience number of problems. In other words, they find certain concepts difficult and have
doubts. The organization of question-answer sessions will enable the instructors to clarify any
problems and difficulties, which the students have. In this manner, the students will
understand the concepts well and will be able to overcome the problems and difficulties,
which may take place within the course of preparation of assignments, projects, reports and
for tests and exams. The students normally have number of problems and difficulties related
to academic learning, preparation of assignments, projects and reports and participation in
other academic activities. The question-answer sessions will enable the students to
communicate with the instructors and provide solutions to all their problems and difficulties.
Furthermore, they get to know their instructors and are able to form pleasant and amiable
terms and relationships with them. In order to facilitate student learning and achieve
academic goals, the question-answer sessions are regarded as worthwhile. Hence, these need
to be organized at the end of every lesson plan. Therefore, it can be stated, the organization of
question-answer sessions will enable the students to augment their interactive abilities and do
well in their studies.
In making the lecture method effective and worthwhile, there are various skills, which
need to be put into practice. The instructors are not only required to possess adequate
knowledge and competencies in terms of the subjects that they are imparting, but they also
need to take into account various factors, i.e. provide factual information and answer the
questions put forward by the students. In this manner, they ensure that they clarify all the
problems and difficulties that the students have. Throughout their jobs, the instructors need to
be well-equipped in terms of the skills, needed to prepare the lecture method. Through these
skills, the instructors will not only make lecture method meaningful and advantageous, but
they will facilitate student learning and incur the feeling of job satisfaction. The skills needed
to prepare the lecture method in a well-ordered manner are stated as follows:
Time Management Skills – In educational institutions at all levels, the lectures are
organized in accordance to the timings, hence, when the instructors are preparing their
lectures, they need to take into account the timings. When the lessons are lengthy, they
usually are completed in more than one lecture. On the other hand, when the lessons are
short, they can be completed in just one lecture. When the time gets over, the instructors need
to continue with the lecture in the next class. Normally, the instructors are vested with
number of job duties and responsibilities. Hence, the implementation of time management
skills will enable them to take out time for all tasks and activities. Therefore, it is
comprehensively understood, when the time management skills will be put into practice in a
well-organized manner, the instructors and students will contribute in an effectual manner in
leading to enrichment of the lecture method.
Evaluation Methods – After the instructors have imparted information to the students
in terms of lesson plans and academic concepts, they need to find out how much the students
have learned and understood. Furthermore, they are also able to find out whether teaching-
learning methods and teaching-learning materials are proving to be worthwhile or there is a
need to bring about improvements. The various types of evaluation methods that are put into
practice are, class assignments, homework assignments, projects, reports, presentations,
quizzes, tests, exams and so forth. These methods are implemented within the course of
imparting lectures. When the students perform well, it is understood, the teaching-learning
methods and teaching-learning materials are favourable. On the other hand, when the students
experience setbacks, there is a need to bring about improvements in these methods.
Therefore, it is well-understood, when the evaluation methods are put into practice in a
meaningful manner, the instructors and students will contribute in an efficient manner in
leading to up-gradation of the lecture method.
Managerial Functions – In the lecture methods, there is a need to put into practice the
managerial functions of planning, organising, directing, leading, controlling and co-
ordinating. These functions are recognized in the implementation of teaching-learning
methods, instructional strategies, teaching-learning materials, resources, students,
infrastructure and the overall conditions within the classroom settings. Furthermore, the
instructors and students need to work in collaboration with each other and develop mutual
understanding. These are vital in not only implementing the teaching and the learning
processes, but also in the management of resources, technologies and in the management of
the overall environment within the classroom settings. The managerial functions need to be
up-graded within the period of time. Improvements need to be brought about in them through
the use of modern, scientific and innovative methods. Therefore, it is comprehensively
understood, the implementation of managerial functions in a well-ordered manner are not
only crucial in the formation of pleasant and amiable environment within the classroom
settings, but also in making the lecture method satisfactory.
Work Ethics – In leading to up-gradation of lecture method and to prepare them well,
work ethics are regarded as indispensable skills, which the instructors need to be aware of.
Work ethics are referred to the attitude and determination towards one’s job. Having strong
work ethics will enable the instructors to be well-aware in terms of their job duties and
responsibilities. The primary job duties and responsibilities of the instructors is to impart
knowledge to the students, help them to achieve academic goals and enhance the overall
system of education. When the instructors recognize the meaning and significance of work
ethics, they will inculcate various traits among themselves, i.e. professionalism, integration,
cooperation, discipline, productivity, reliability, dedication, responsibility, socialization and
amiability (Work Ethic Skills, 2020). These traits are regarded as meaningful in doing well in
the job of lecturing. Therefore, it can be stated, when the work ethics will be recognized, the
instructors will not only render a significant contribution in doing well in their job duties of
lecturing, but will also incur the feeling of job satisfaction and lead to up-gradation of the
overall system of education.
1. One of the major limitations of this method is, it provides less scope for the
activity of the students. In order to learn and achieve academic goals, the students
not merely have to work on assignments, reports, projects and participate in tests,
quizzes and competitions, but there is a need to encourage their participation in
activities as well. Hence, through the implementation of lecture method, the
students are just required to listen to their instructors and their participation in
various types of academic activities is limited.
2. It is against the principle of learning by doing. In the lecture method, the principle
of learning by doing is not recognized. Normally, when the instructors are
delivering lectures, they are making use of various types of teaching and learning
materials. When the instructors are teaching, the students are primarily required to
pay attention and take notes. They are not encouraged to participate in tasks and
activities, where they learn by doing. Hence, this is regarded as one of the major
disadvantages of the lecture method, as in order to learn well and achieve
academic goals, it is necessary to learn by doing.
3. It does not take into consideration any differences among students. The students
are different from each on the basis of various factors, i.e. caste, creed, race,
religion, ethnicity, age, gender, skills, abilities, personality traits and socio-
economic background. The lecture method does not take into consideration these
factors. When the instructors come to the classroom to give their lectures, they
simply do their job duty and does not take into consideration any differences
between students. The students are different from each other in terms of their
learning abilities. In educational institutions, when the students experience
setbacks, extra classes are organized for them. But in lectures, the teaching
methods are implemented on an equal basis in terms of all students and
differences are not taken into consideration.
4. Lectures are not suited for teaching higher orders of thinking such as, application,
analysis, and evaluation. Furthermore, they will not be regarded as worthwhile for
imparting motor skills and influencing attitudes and values. In case of some
subjects, such as, science, mathematics, English and so forth, the concepts are
complicated. In the impartment of knowledge and understanding in terms of
complicated concepts, the lecture methods are not suitable. In such cases, the
students are encouraged to participate in various tasks and activities to augment
their understanding and to solve their problems.
5. In educational institutions at all levels, the students have different learning styles.
They put into operation different learning styles to understand the subjects and
concepts. The lecture method puts emphasis on listening. The main job of the
students is to listen to their instructors. In some cases, the listening skills of the
students are not in a well-developed state. They make use of different learning
styles in order to augment their learning and understanding. When the students do
not listen to their instructors, it is usually frustrating. Therefore, the disadvantage
of the lecture method is recognized, when the students do not have well-developed
listening skills.
Conclusion
Lecture method is regarded as the oldest method of teaching. The instructors are
making use of this method in educational institutions at all levels. In the implementation of
this method, the instructors are making use of modern, scientific, technical and pioneering
methods of teaching. In the planning of the lecture, the major factors that need to be taken
into consideration are, generating information in terms of learning abilities of students, being
well-aware of academic goals and objectives, preparing introduction, body and conclusion,
utilization of modern, scientific and innovative methods, providing opportunities to the
students to share their experiences, and organizing question-answer sessions. The instructors
need to be well-aware in terms of the skills needed to prepare the lecture method. The skills
needed to prepare the lecture method in a well-ordered manner are, communication skills,
time management skills, problem solving skills, creative skills, evaluation methods,
managerial functions, instructional strategies, teaching-learning materials, conflict resolution
methods and work ethics. The advantages and disadvantages of lecture methods are crucial to
understand. Finally, it can be stated, when the lecture method will be implemented in a
regimented manner, it will be beneficial in facilitating student learning as well as in enriching
the overall system of education.
Bibliography
Advantages and Disadvantages of lectures. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2020 from
learningspark.com.au
Doyle, A. (2020). What is Creative Thinking? Definition and Examples of Creative Thinking.
Sharma, M. (n.d.). Lecture Method/Teaching Method. Retrieved October 28, 2020 from
biyanicolleges.org
The Lecture Method. (2014). Instructional Development and Distance Education. Retrieved
Work Ethic Skills: Top 8 Values to Develop. (2020). Retrieved October 28, 2020
from indeed.com