LECTURE METHOD

Lecture method is the traditional method of teaching. In this type of teaching method,
the flow of communication is one way i.e. from the communicator to the audience. In this
method fact, organized thoughts and ideas are presented by a qualified person.
The word lecture has been derived from the Latin word “lectare” which means to
“read aloud”.

DEFINITION:

The Lecture has been defined as “teaching activity whereby teacher presents the
content in a comprehensive manner by explaining the facts, principles and relationships,
during which the teacher is expected to elicit student participation by employing appropriate
techniques”.

PURPOSES OF THE LECTURE METHOD:

1. To provide structured knowledge: providing structured knowledge by integrating

and synthesising knowledge from different field or sources is the prime function of
lecture. Through lecture it is easy for teacher to provide relevant knowledge by
selecting and organising the content in the learner centred way

2. To motivate and guide in bunting knowledge: As a teacher alone cannot satisfy the
knowledge requirement of students, he/she has to explain the various sources of
knowledge. Teacher motivates the students to collect more information and guide
them properly through the information. Teacher has to give main reference as well as
general references to the student.

3. To arouse student interest in a subject: By the lecture teacher can orient the
students to a subject by explaining the need for studying it, ways of learning and
revision, mode of writing university examination etc.

4. Introduce students to new areas of learning: Innovations are occurring on a regular

basis in a diagnosis, treatment, and nursing management of disease conditions. This
innovation has created new learning areas and lecture method will help the teacher to
introduce that new area of learning.

5. To clarify difficult concepts: Teacher should use enough examples and illustrations
to clarify the concepts

6. To assist in preparing students for discussion: Before discussion teacher has to

provide a concrete idea to the students regarding the topic of discussion, aims of
discussion etc. As a means of providing this information, lecture methods helps the
teacher in creating a conductive atmosphere for discussion.

7. To promote critical thinking: Thoughtfully designed and delivered lecture can

challenge students to think critically and analytically by modelling the thinking
process according to the characteristics of the discipline.

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ESSENTIALS OF LECTURE METHOD:

The effectiveness of the lecture method depends to a large extent on the following:

1. Communicator’s ability to speak and write appropriately and legibly.

2. The topic of lecture should be based on the need or interest.
3. The speaker should give the lecture in a comprehensive manner in accordance with
the receptivity level of students.
4. The speaker should make use of appropriate audio visual aids.
5. The communicator should be skilful in managing lecture in time.
6. The teacher delivering lecture should not use annoying mannerisms such as crushing
or tossing chalk, waving hands unnecessarily or making use of words such as okay,
right by repeatedly.
7. The teacher should clarify the difficult concepts with examples.
8. Proper body language should be used by the teacher while giving lecture.
9. To clarify the concepts with various examples.
10. To motivate, guide and arouse interest among students for gathering more information
related to subject or topic.

LECTURING TECHNIQUES:

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1. Voluntary dissemination of information:
This is the essence of lecturing. Instead of reading continuously from prepared note
teacher has to converse freely with the student because it reduces the interest of
students. Of course, looking in between in the prepared note is needed as it helps the
teacher to maintain the sequence. Practising one or two times before entering the class
is regarded as the best way to nurture spontaneity. Spontaneity is not merely a
recollection of learned lessons but it is a sudden outflow of information.

2. Adequate pacing:
Too slow a pace and too fast a pace are not advisable as the former creates boredom
and the letter leads to confusion. A successful teacher always organise the content
effectively and pace the lecture in a comprehensible manner in accordance to the
receptivity level of students.

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 3. Proper use of body language:
Action often speaks louder than words, the teacher has to keep this in mind and be
aware about the body language while lecturing. One can maintain proper body
language by practising principles of effective communication. Maintaining eye
contact with students and avoid looking out of the window, at the wall and over the
student’s head. Occasionally move towards the students. Modest uses of hand but
avoid keeping the arms crossed or hands clasped behind.

4. Voice gradation and quality:

Voice gradation is the periodical alteration of both pitch and volume while lecturing.
If there is any deficiency in the voice quality, teacher is free enough to use a
microphone attached to a sophisticated sound system.

5. Control annoying mannerisms:

Annoying mannerism is very distracting to the students. Crushing or tossing chalk,
breaking the knuckles, waving hands unnecessarily, pinching the nose and repeatedly
saying ‘so’, ‘right’, ‘okay’ are common annoying mannerism this should be avoid or
control.

6. Use of audio visual aids:

In addition to black board, charts, and graphs, advancements in educational
technology offers help through a handful of sophisticated audio visual aids to the
teacher in facilitating learning by way of the lecture method.

7. Simple plans and key points:

When planning for lecture always go for a simple plan instead of complicated ones.
Select some of the key points from the content and build the whole lecture around that
key point.

8. Elicit feedback from student:

Even feedback is a vital technique, due hurry to finish the lecture many teachers
neglects it while lecturing. Feedback assists the teacher to assess the amount of
knowledge received by the students and the progress they have achieved. Feedback is
diagnostic as well as remedial not only for students but also for the teachers.

9. Providing further clarification:

One of the purposes of the lecture is to clarify difficult concepts by citing examples or
through the illustrations. Even then, after initial clarification teacher has to assess the
need for further clarification and if needed than provide it to the students.

10. Time management:

Time factor is very important in lecturing. When time exceeds than expected, tension
slowly invades the teacher and damage the lecture. Through time bond practice by
using a clock, teacher can easily develop a proportion between time and content.

FUNCTIONS OF LECTURE:

 Delivering the relevant knowledge in an organized way centred towards leaner as it is

difficult for the student to find out & synthesize the knowledge from sources.

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  Providing references to students to gather information relevant topic. The reference is
in form of main reference, other related books from where information can be sought.
 Providing brief introduction on knowledge of learning before demonstrating the skill
or introducing new area of learning.
 Clarification of concepts with illustrations.
 Encourages critical thinking process among students related to disciplines

WHILE CLOSING A LECTURE:

1. Draw some conclusion for the class: Help students to see that a purpose has been
served, that something has been gained during the last hour. A well-planned
conclusion rounds out the presentation, ties up loose ends, suggests ways for students
to follow up on the lecture, and gives students a sense of closure.
2. Finish forcefully: Don’t allow your lecture to trail off or end in midsentence because
the period is over, and avoid the last-minute “oh, I almost forgot…” An impressive
ending will echo in student’s minds and prompt them to prepare for the next meeting.

ADVANTAGES:

 It is an efficient method of teaching where one teacher can communicate with a large
number of students.
 Helps to apparent time saving and resources.
 The teacher can plan exactly the presentation in advance.
 Presence of teacher is needed so that student can see them.
 A well-presented lecture may increase student motivation.
 Governs a large group of students.
 It enables to present large amount of information in a short time.
 It gives feeling of security.
 New knowledge may be presented which is not yet in the textbooks.
 Since presence of teacher in the class, he has complete control over the content and
can develop the presentation according to the plan.
 The presence of a teacher avoids interruptions and disturbance and also gives feeling
of security.

DISADVANTAGES:

 Keeps the students in passive situation, provides only limited participation and limited
level of stimulation.
 Student’s attention may want, the need to suit the material presented to the level of
understanding of all students.
 Lecture does not cater for individual student needs.
 It may be difficult for students to take complete and accurate notes.

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 DISCUSSION METHOD:

It is basically a co-operative, problem solving activity which seeks a consensus

regarding the solution of a problem rather than decision by majority of vote. That is, it is the
working together in the search for the solutions of a problem of common concern rather than
just talking about a topic.

DEFINITION:

“A discussion is a conversation with a focal point, such as a specific topic, question,

concept or problem, in which there is a sincere desire to arrive at a decision.”

PURPOSES OF DISCUSSION:

1. To teach context specific interpretation and application of principles, theories

and concepts:
Discussion will help to interpret the principles and theories as suitable to the context.
To achieve this purpose, students should process prior knowledge regarding topic of
discussion. They can attain prior knowledge either through self reading or attending
lecture.

2. Assist student to develop, express and validate their opinions or beliefs regarding
legal, ethical and controversial issues in nursing:
In the light of social changes and technological advancements in patient care, legal,
ethical issues are gaining much attention than ever before. In discussion, pros and
cons of an opinion is critically analysed by the group member in order to decide its
validity.

3. To clarify information and concepts:

Discussion helps the teacher not only to assess the knowledge gained by students but
also provides an opportunity for further clarification.

4. To share information:
Exchanging ideas or viewpoints and the conclusion drawn at the end of discussion
ultimately result in sharing of information.

5. To foster democratic values: Discussion helps the students to develop an ability to

tolerate the most contradicting opinions or viewpoints and to defend their own
viewpoints assertively.

6. To develop team building and social skills:

Teamwork always divides the task and double the success. Through discussion under
the leadership of teachers students learn the essentials of team building and social
skills like how to elicit cooperation from others, value the contribution of others and
group process.

7. Development of right attitude:

Attitude mainly caught by the students rather than taught by the teachers. Through
listening a discussion or participating in it, students get a chance to compare their own

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 attitude regarding an issue or situation with others. This will motivate them to do a
self-analysis

8. To develop problem solving skills as a group:

It is the best method to draw group involvement to solving a problem. A discussion
under the leadership of teacher after diving the whole group into subgroups and
assigning a particular aspect of problem to each subgroup will help to find a solution
by their thinking process.

9. To arouse students interest:

Discussion facilitates expression of ideas and interaction with the teacher. This will
motivate the students to prepare well through self-learning. Facilities interact with the
teacher and peer group helps them to clarify the doubts.

RULES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR DISCUSSION:

 Ideas or views expressed by the members should be clear and concise.

 The members have to listen to each other what is discussed among them.
 There should not be any interruption when the member of the is discussing or
speaking.
 Each member of group should accept the criticism gracefully, if by a member is done.
 The discussion should reach to a conclusion.
 In discussion, the relevant remarks should be made by its members during discussion.

COMPOSITION OF GROUP:

1. The group leader : 1

2. The group recorder : 1
3. The group observer : 1
4. The group members : 15 to 25

1. Group leader: The leader of the group is key person. Your own ability to guide
effectively may depend the success or the failure of the discussion. The major
function of the group leader can be classified under the following headings:
a. Regulating the discussion
b. Focussing the discussion
c. Guiding the discussion
d. Classifying the discussion

2. Group recorder: The recorder makes a record of the salient features of the
discussions and helps the members to recapitulate or correlate with any previous
discussion. The recorder at the end will read to the group, the draft report of
discussion and obtain the consent of the group.

3. Group observer: The observer job is to use this record in analysing the behaviour of
the group and in making suggestions as to ways in which the group can act differently
and thereby improve it effectively.

4. Group members: It consists of about 15-25 members. It is neither the leader’s

responsibility alone nor is it the observer’s to create and maintain an atmosphere of

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 freedom so that all will feel free to participate; to keep the discussion moving
towards, its goals; to analyse the difficulties the group may encounter in attaining an
attitude.

CLASSROOM DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE:

1. Proper planning of the topic with objectives and guidelines. Proper planning of the
environment in which discussion is arranged i.e. environment should be non-
threatening.
2. Adequate preparation of students in relation to topic to be discussed is required for the
success of group discussion.
3. Role of each member of group, leader of group and role of teacher need to be
clarified.
4. Teacher opens the discussion session with brief introduction of topic to be discussed
with objectives and guidelines.
5. Students are invited to express their ideas or view points.
6. During discussion, teacher assumes the role of facilitator.
7. One of the students among group records the proceedings.
8. Teacher controls the group discussion by discouraging overtalkative students and
involving the passive students in discussion.
9. During discussion, teacher clarifies the difficult statements to void misinterpretation
and confusion among group members.
10. Teacher redirects the course of discussion, if the discussion is deviated from the
predetermined objectives or if wasting time.
11. Teacher guides the students in relation to pros and cons of the view points and after
analysing the view points, a consensus is reached.
12. After group discussion, a concluding note in the form of summary of the discussion,
performance of students and a few words of appreciation to encourage the students to
participate in forthcoming discussions.

ADVANTAGES:

 Group discussion method involved active participation of students and promote

learning abilities of students.
 Students’ self-esteem is enhanced as their view points or suggestions are accepted.
 Help the students to develop problem solving technique.
 Develops self confidence among members of group.
 Provides an opportunity to students to express views or skills.
 Develops social skills and a feeling of team activity.
 Develops ability among students to compare and contrast the knowledge on particular
topic.

DISADVANTAGES OF GROUP DISCUSSION METHOD:

 Group discussion method is time consuming as it is difficult to complete the

discussion within time.
 Without adequate preparation of students, group discussion method is not as useful as
meaningful exchanges of views will not occur among students.
 Sometimes, over talkative students overcome others and make other members passive.

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  Group discussion method is not effective for a larger group i.e. more than 20
members.
 Unequal participation of members, sometimes occur as some may dominate others.

CONCLUSION:

This assignment includes all the details about the lecture methods in that
definition, purpose, essential of lecture method, techniques, advantages and disadvantages.
This also includes discussion methods in that definition, purpose, rules and composition,
classroom discussion techniques, advantages and disadvantages. so this will be helpful to all
the students in practicing lecture and discussion method and developing skill in conducting
these methods of teaching.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Textbook references:

1. B. Sankaranarayan & B. Sindhu, “LEARNING AND TEACHING NURSING” 3rd

edition, published by brainfill, Calicut, Pp - 135 to 141, 144 to 149.

2. KP Neeraja, “TEXTBOOK OF NURSING EDUCATION” 1st edition, published by

Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi, Pp - 255 to 258 & 279 to
280.

3. BT Basavanthappa, “NURSING EDUCATION” 1st edition, published by Jaypee

Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi, Pp – 317, 318, 321, 322.

Online references:

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lecturer
2. couglife.wordpress.com
3. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/discussion
4. letstalkbusinessfeed.blogspot.com

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