Whats Wrong with Lecture?
Nothing! Lecture is an efficient way to deliver content. It can provide important background information, introduce new material, and set the stage for activities or discussion. However, when lecture is continuous without time allowed for student processing, students may have difficulty understanding and retaining material. If you would like more explanation about why this occurs, visit the Learning Theory Module in this series. Lecture alone may not be the most effective method for all your students. While some students learn very well with a lecture format, others may benefit from a more active approach. Active learning techniques can • give students time to process material. • help students link new material to previous knowledge. • reinforce lecture content by providing a context in which to apply material. • give students an opportunity to check their understanding of material.
