Giving a Lecture

Abstract

Lectures, when appropriately delivered, can promote effective student learning. During preparation of a lecture, an outcome-based approach helps the teacher to plan the content and activities to help students achieve the intended learning outcomes. The teacher also needs to consider the relationship of the lecture to the rest of the course or program so that the lecture builds on what students have learned and prepares them for further study. In the introduction of a lecture, the teacher needs to establish a closer relationship with the students and prepare them for learning. In the body of a lecture, the teacher needs to organize the content into key points and link them to give students the big picture. But the teacher must not pack excessive information into a lecture, sacrificing elaborations. There should also be an effective conclusion in which the teacher can summarize the key points and outcomes and stimulate further self-directed learning. Apart from the careful organization of the lecture content, the teacher’s enthusiasm will also significantly affect student learning and attitude toward the subject, and it is reflected in the way that the teacher speaks, moves, makes eye contact, and interacts with the students. The teacher also needs to prepare the presentation slides carefully, if he/she chooses to use them, so that they do not distract the students from the content and the interactions with the teacher.