Classroom » Reference
lecture
Learn more about lecture
- Instructors taking a break from a lecture at the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park
- Instructors take a break from a lecture at the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park. The park provides educational tours and programs in the conservation of rare and endangered waterfowl.
- Format: image/photograph
- Balancing order and learning in classroom discussions
- Different learning objectives require different rules for student participation. Make your expectations for each day's class clear to students — and to yourself!
- By Kristi Johnson Smith.
- History of astronomy scavenger hunt
- A unit on astronomy inevitably and rightfully begins with a look at the history of astronomy. This activity provides students with an opportunity to learn the basic facts of the history of astronomy by using the internet.
- Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
- By Geol 130.
- A Comprehensive Study of North Carolina Indian Tribes
- Students will apply their research skills of gathering and validating information to study the eight state recognized American Indian tribes of North Carolina in order to create an Honors U.S. History Project. Students then will create a comprehensive study of those tribes to be compiled into a notebook to be copied and shared with the eighth grade teachers of North Carolina History in our county.
- Format: lesson plan (grade 11–12 Social Studies)
- Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative
- Grassroots museums annually serve millions of citizens through general visitation, teacher training and special programs. Programs include both onsite and offsite presentations and reach students in every North Carolina school district.
- Format: article/field trip opportunity
Teaching method in which the teacher communicates information primarily through oral presentation, with intermittent questions posed to students.
Additional information
Lectures are a traditional and efficient method of delivering information to students. They make it possible to cover a lot of information quickly and to teach a large number of students at the same time with few resources. Students who process complex language easily, have good verbal memories, and take notes quickly are likely to benefit more from lectures than students who have language difficulties or have trouble paying attention.
Examples and resources
Lectures are a form of storytelling, and the best lecturers are entertaining as well as prepared, organized, and informative. The following resources have some tips on how to give engaging lectures.
- Georgia State University Master Teacher Program: The Lecture by Harvey J. Brightman
- University of California, Berkeley’s Tools for Teaching: Preparing to Teach the Large Lecture Course by Barbara Gross Davis
- The National Teaching and Learning Forum’s article, The “Change Up” in Lectures by Joan Middendorf and Alan Kalish
Kristi Johnson Smith’s weblog on LEARN NC, which is aimed at first year teachers, addresses lecture techniques in the following posts.
