Preparing and Delivering Lectures Nadia Al Wardy

Why do we lecture?

To: Provide course cohesion Provide course cohesion Brief students about what we expect of them Brief students about what we expect of them Help them see the important points Help them see the important points Tell them things Tell them things

Some less positive reasons It’s what students expect It’s what students expect It’s what I’m timetabled to do It’s what I’m timetabled to do It’s the way it’s done round here It’s the way it’s done round here I haven’t time/energy/resources to do it any other way I haven’t time/energy/resources to do it any other way

“Lecture: process by which the notes of a teacher becomes the notes of a student without passing through the minds of either” Michael O’Donnell

Preparing Lectures Purposes – objectives (in the form of Qs) Purposes – objectives (in the form of Qs) Content – essential principles, little detail Content – essential principles, little detail Organisation – classical, problem-centred Organisation – classical, problem-centred Preparation of audio-visual aids – is it fulfilling its purpose? Preparation of audio-visual aids – is it fulfilling its purpose?

Classical Outline purpose of lecture Describe main themes Outline & explain first key point Illustrate with examples Repeat first key point Summarize Repeat main themes & conclude Outline & explain second key point Illustrate with examples Repeat second key point

Problem-centred Statement of Problem Offer solution 1 Offer solution 2 Discuss strengths and weaknesses of solution 1 Summary & concluding remarks Discuss strengths and weaknesses of solution 2

Preparing Lectures Purposes – objectives (in the form of Qs) Purposes – objectives (in the form of Qs) Content – essential principles, little detail Content – essential principles, little detail Organisation – classical, problem-centred Organisation – classical, problem-centred Preparation of audio-visual aids – is it fulfilling its purpose? Preparation of audio-visual aids – is it fulfilling its purpose?

Skills of Lecturing OpeningsExplainingSummarizing

Openings

Openings Gain attention of the group Gain attention of the group Establish a relationship with the group Establish a relationship with the group Provide the framework for the talk Provide the framework for the talk Outline of procedure Outline of procedure Introduction to content Introduction to content

Explaining The key skill in lecturing

Types of Explaining Descriptive – What? Descriptive – What? Interpretive – How? Interpretive – How? Reason giving – Why? Reason giving – Why? When? When? Where? Where?

To explain effectively.. 1. Identify and state the problem to be explained 2. Take account of the existing knowledge of explainees and; 3. Build an explanation which links to their existing knowledge

Essential Features of Explaining Clarity Clarity Generating interest Generating interest Persuasion Persuasion

1. Signposts 2. Frames 3. Foci 4. Links Improving Clarity “the necessity of making things plain to uninstructed people was one of the very best means of clearing up the obscure corners of one’s own mind” Huxley

Generating Interest 1. Show your own interest/commitment to the topic by being expressive 2. Think of and use examples, analogies, metaphors and models which are apt for the audience and the topic

Generating Interest 3. If the material is unfamiliar, begin with examples 4. Use a mixture of modes of explaining Narrative Narrative Anecdotal Anecdotal Conceptual Conceptual 5. Use puzzles, problems and questions

Persuasion 1. Appear credible and trustworthy 2. Present both sides of the argument 3. Do not dismiss cherished beliefs 4. Let group members draw their own conclusions

Endings A summary which draws together the main points and reservations A summary which draws together the main points and reservations A conclusion which may be a statement or a quotation and which may link the topics to other topics A conclusion which may be a statement or a quotation and which may link the topics to other topics The next steps? The next steps?

Three Key Elements Set Set Dialogue Dialogue Closure Closure

Set - ROLE Roles Roles Objectives Objectives Linkages Linkages Environment Environment

Dialogue - QUEST Questions Questions Understanding Understanding Eyes Eyes Stimulation Stimulation Timing Timing

Closure - REST Review Review Eyes Eyes Summary Summary Termination Termination

Tell them what you want say Say it Tell them what you said

AMEE Education Guide No. 22: Refreshing lecturing: a guide for lecturers