Lectures
Lectures a traditional method of teaching in higher education.
They allow the lecturer to:
- Provide an introductory overview of the subject
- Place the course material in context
- Stimulate the student's interest in a particular topic
- Focus on a difficult point, concept or theory in some detail
- Discuss and, where appropriate, criticise the topic
- Explain and review different approaches to the subject, various ideas or theories
To take best advantage of lectures you should keep up with (and preferably be a little in advance of) the course reading. Lecturers may distribute handout material that will give you an idea of what the lecture is dealing with or what points they wish to draw to your attention. A good starting point, then, is to try to identify the purpose(s) for which a lecturer is using the lecture.
Lecturers will pause frequently to ensure that the class has understood the lecture material, and may invite questions or requests for further explanation. Many students are understandably reluctant to speak up in large first year lecture classes, and find it easier to ask questions and resolve misunderstandings in seminars or tutorials, which are better suited to that purpose.
Lectures will have proper value only if you are able to respond actively. This is achieved by concentrating on what is being said and by taking notes. See the Note Taking section for some helpful advice on how best to approach this.
The Role of Lectures
It is easy to misunderstand the role of lectures. The standard joke is that it is a system for transferring notes from the lecturer's file to the student's notepad without passing through the mind of either. However, since the lecture is the most common method of teaching large groups of students, it is important that you be aware of both the advantages and limitations of the lecture format.
Although lectures seem a passive form of learning, you can transform them into a more active learning exercise, by using the techniques of analysis and organisation.
What do Lecturers expect from Students?
The following information give an idea of what lecturers from different Schools expect from students:
History & Sociology
A lecture is most effectively used by actively concentrating on what is said, and by making notes. It is usually a good idea to re-read your lecture notes, and add to them, shortly after the conclusion of the lecture whilst it is still fresh in your mind.
Music
Lectures are the main mode of information and idea delivery, in the first two levels of study. However, they are not the passive experience they may appear to be; you will often be required to read or listen to material before a lecture. You should listen to the points that are being made, and follow them up with several hours of prescribed reading and listening.
Linguistics (LI1061 Study Skills)
Lecturers are all different, using different language, ways of organising their material, and assumptions as to your own skills in making the connections. It's down to you to draw the threads together.
Material adapted from guidance written by Professor Martin Loughlin, formerly from the School of Law, (now at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)).