Module 8: The Art and Science of Effective Lecturing

Reasons for Lecturing

• When you want to present information with emphasis on the importance of specific ideas or a particular way of organizing or making connections among bits of information.
• When there is a need for a more extended treatment of material (perhaps already covered in readings) in a way that is attuned to the learning needs of the students/residents.
• When you want to expose students to a sample of a scholar’s thinking aloud in addressing a problem or set of materials.
• When you want to convey a more personal viewpoint than has already been provided such as conveying your own enthusiasm or your own involvement in an issue.
• When you want to convey a body of information not easily available to students in readings or other resources.
• When you want students/residents to know information that serves as background to more complex material.
• When the group size, complexity of the material, or time constraints prevent the use of other teaching strategies.