Lectures - what kind of teaching method is this?

The most popular teaching method in all universities in the world is lecture. A lecture is an oral presentation of material. This teaching method is also used in high school: teachers often spend most of the lesson, or even the entire lesson, on the presentation of the material. The knowledge gained is fixed in practical exercises. This system allows students to better understand the material.

Etymology of the word "lecture"

The word “lecture” has Latin roots and means “reading”. This method of conveying information to students was used in medieval educational institutions. At that time, the lecture material was prepared in advance, and then simply read by the teacher - hence the name.

In modern universities, the method of lecturing has changed a little, teachers are less likely to use materials at hand and do not give a lecture, but present the necessary information based on specific examples and explaining the essence.

Only English universities did not affect the innovations, where professors are required to use the text of the lecture and, if possible, simply read the material to students.

What is a lecture in modern universities?

In the modern concept, a lecture is a process of not only exposing, but also explaining the material by the teacher for a long time. The task of the teacher is to attract students to work and to activate the cognitive activity of students or pupils.

How to involve students in work?

The modern world is oversaturated with information, it is becoming increasingly difficult for university teachers to attract students to the material they present at the lecture. That is why it is important not only to convey the material to the students, but in the course of the presentation to contact the audience with questions. This is necessary in order to involve students in the learning process and to ensure active perception and understanding of the knowledge gained. For example, a frequent technique that teachers resort to is creating a problematic situation based on the material presented. The most popular way is to isolate a couple of basic questions from the topic of the lecture, in which students will have to understand the process of reading material.

What are the lectures?

Lecturing is a process that is not one hundred years old. That is why it is possible to highlight some varieties of presentation of scientific material, each of which pursues its own goals.

Types of lectures

Science distinguishes the following types of lectures:

1. Information - this is the most traditional type of lecture that was used in ancient universities. Its purpose is to convey certain information that is intended for memorization and subsequent independent comprehension. An information lecture does not imply active work of a lecturer with students. The most popular method in many universities to this day.
2. Survey is based on a systematic approach to the provision of information, without specificity and detail of information. This type of lecture allows the use of associations in the process of assimilation of information, which is set forth in the disclosure of communication not only intrasubject but also intersubject. A review lecture is a lecture that is based on the conceptual apparatus of the course, its conceptual basis and the analysis of large sections.
3. The problematic is more like a research activity, since its essence is to convey to the audience new information by posing problematic questions, tasks or situations. During a problem lecture, a dialogue takes place between the lecturer and the audience, and the topic is revealed by isolating the problem and finding a method for solving it by analyzing different points of view.
4. Visualization involves the transmission of information through audio or video equipment. The essence of the lecture is a brief comment by the lecturer of the viewed or listened materials.
5. The binary assumes the presence of two lecturers, it can be not only two teachers who represent different scientific schools. Participants in the lecture can be a theorist and practitioner, teacher and student, and so on.
6. A public lecture, or lecture-conference, is held not only as a scientific, but also as a practical lesson, in which everyone can take part. Typically, the topic of lectures is determined in advance, and the lesson participants prepare small reports that should briefly and in the case reflect the essence of a particular issue. A public lecture is an opportunity to plunge deeply into the essence of the problem and highlight its various aspects.
7. An advisory lecture is often held on a “question and answer” basis. The lecturer answers questions from the audience on a given topic of the lesson. Often the method is complemented by discussion. After asked questions and received answers, the audience and lecturer discuss the information received. This makes it faster and easier to absorb material.
8. An interactive lecture is considered the best way to master theoretical material as much as possible in the allotted time. An interactive lecture is a way to completely immerse the audience in the material presented by the lecturer. The most important task of the lecturer is to keep the attention of the audience and build a dialogue with students. Such lectures suggest a dialogue between the audience and the lecturer, the activity of information processing. It is considered the most effective of all types of lectures, as it is distinguished by excellent assimilation of the material by the students.

Science is moving forward, but the lecture method of teaching is still the most popular.