1. Learning situations

2. At colleges, there are so many ways students are expected to learn.
e.g Lectures, seminars, group discussions, assignment tasks, tutorials, research and self study , practicals, Field work
important for the student to know what is done in each learning situation in order to find ways of benefitting through the situation.
Learning situations are many to cater for different leaning styles.
the learning situations complement each other.

3. Aims on learning situations
To understand learning modes and demonstrate this through being able to:
To describe learning situations students are exposed to at university level
To outline the strengths and weaknesses of each learning situation discussed.
Distinguish between the modes
To discuss barriers that can hinder effective learning in the learning situations.
To relate learning situations to models of communication

4. Lectures
a mode of learning in which an educational talk is given by a lecturer to students on a particular subject.
Lectures are normally held with one individual addressing a large group of people of about 250 to 350
are normally conducted in lecture theatres or lecture rooms.
They usually take more time, a minimum of an hour.

5. Cont. Lectures provide platform for lecturers to;
Give an overview of topics and content to be covered.
Highlight important areas, current debates and areas for future research.
Introduce the student to subject specific language and technical terms students are expected to be aware of.
Give the student a starting point and springboard for further independent studying.

6. cont The lecturer is the most active participant in lecture delivery.
The burden of preparing information lies on him/her. He/she decides on the
Topic(s) to be covered
Content to be covered
Methodology to be used
Activities to be done
Media to be used
Organization of material to be presented
Time to spent in the lecture

7. Cont,
The lecturer is the only active participant while students are passive
One way communication in lectures

8. Advantages of learning though lectures
allow for coverage of much content
a faster way of passing information
Allow for the lecturer the expert to impart knowledge directly to students.
Class control
less costly.
Many students get the same information at the same time

9. Disadvantages of lectures as learning situations
Lectures are lecturer-centered than learner-centered.
One person is responsible for making sure that learning takes place
difficulty of meeting individual needs of so many students.
provide very little room for students to participate
They allow for auditory learning only and ignore other learning styles
No utilization of feedback
They take a long time making it difficult for students to concentrate.

10. Barriers that can affect learning through lectures
Barriers are
Hindrances
Factors that affect listening
Impediments
distractions

11. Psychological barriers
Have to do with the mind
e.g. day dreaming.
attitudes against the lecturer, the topic or the subject
Stereotypes
Perceptual differences
ethnocentrism

12. Physiological barriers
Have to do with failure to meet the needs of the body
e.g fatigue,
Being sick
hunger
having to learn in congested venues
dozing or feeling sleepy.
sight problems
Hearing impairments

13. Semantic barriers Have to do with loss of meaning
occur when the sender’s message is not received by the receiver as the sender intended.
Occur through use of jargon or specialized language which students are not familiar with, without explaining it.
Use of ambiguous words
wrong pronunciations
Use of language not understood by everyone.
 presentation of disorganised material

14. Syntactic barriers a result of poor sentence construction.
lecturer has limited powers of expression
affect the smooth flow of ideas
affect reception and
comprehension of the message.

15. Physical barriers Noise in the environment E.g hot weather,
a crammed venue,
rain pounding on a zink roof,
a venue situated near a busy road
Physical presentation of lecturer
The speed of lecturer in dictating notes
Audibility of lecturer’s voice
Latecomers making noise

16. Ways of enhancing concentration
Preparing for lectures physically and mentally by arriving in a good frame of mind.
Consulting the course outline for information about the lecture series
looking back at notes from previous lectures before the lecture.
Reading ahead guided by the course outline.
Setting questions from the topics on the course outline to answered as the lecture progresses.
Sitting in front or where one cannot be interrupted.

17. Making notes or taking down notes.
Answering questions set before the lecture during the commencement of the lecture.
Asking questions or seeking clarification on areas not well understood just after.
Attending all lectures so that one follows the development of issues discussed.
Think about what is being said and attempt to summarize the points being made.

18. Cont,
Provide feedback to the lecturer where necessary through non-verbal signals e.g. nodding the head, .
Think about questions that can be set from what the lecturer is saying.
Write down areas not understood for further consultation

19. Tutorials a learning mode meant to complement lectures.
What is discussed in tutorials emanate from lectures.
The tutor conducts a tutorial
a round table discussion.
Tutorial tasks and reading lists are given to students before the time for them to prepare.
By the time a tutorial is conducted both the tutor and students are assumed to have the same knowledge to share.
Characterized by smaller numbers.

20. Advantages of learning through tutorials
provide an opportunity for the tutor to meet the needs of individual students.
allow for students to freely participate
the round table nature of discussions cancels distance created in lectures by the lecturer who stands while students sit.
are more interactive than lectures
make it easy for students to concentrate.
They are learner –centered than lectures

21. cont provide students with the platform to
ask questions, seek clarification on issues they may not have understood
test the ideas they have of the topic as they discuss with the tutor.
to test their own ideas against those of others.
to sharpen oral and listening skills as they interact during discussions.

22. Disadvantages of learning through tutorials
Discussions can be time consuming.
If the group is not prepared tutorials are a waste of time.
If tutor is not a lecturer expertise is limited

23. Seminars
Provide students with an opportunity to participate in the learning process.
Each student is assigned a topic to read in depth, produce a scholarly paper and present it for discussion and criticism.
Stages involved are –
Research on the topic.
Write up of the paper.
Presentation of the paper to the class.
Facilitating discussion.
It involves both written and oral skills.

24. Therefore… Research thoroughly to ensure knowledge of content.
Prepare for oral presentation through
rehearsal
Varying methods of delivering the content
Utilising non-verbal signals e.g. Time management, eye contact, responding to feedback etc.
Controlling discussion meaningfully.

25. Assignment tasks Assignment tasks are a learning situation.
Are aimed at developing research skills in students.
Time for research is thus given (Two weeks sometimes).
Students should learn to gather, compile and present information as required by the task.