Module 8: The Art and Science of Effective Lecturing

Summary: Tips for Effective Lecturing Skills

• Determine the specific objectives for the lecture. What specific points do you want the audience to remember today, a week from now and next year? These are the “take home” points. There should be only one to three specific objectives for a one hour lecture
  
  
• Present your objectives with a visual or handout.
  
  
• Find out what the students know and what they want to know. Become aware of what has been covered previously and what will follow your presentation. Know how your lecture(s) is related to the entire block.
  
  
• Be organized. Begin with simple material and build toward more complex information. Develop your material logically.
  
  
• Illustrate points frequently. Isolated examples are not enough so use examples related to students’ knowledge and experiences throughout the lecture.
  
  
• Deliver the lecture extemporaneously using notes as a guide, but do not read them to the audience. You can read without thinking, but you cannot talk without thinking. Make the lecture more conversational.
  
  
• Make contact with various parts of the audience, be enthusiastic.
  
  
• Point out transitions between concepts. Number key points, summarize concepts and ask questions about each element.
  
  
• Adjust the lecture format to the attention span of the audience. The average attention span is 15-20 minutes. Break up the lecture by using visuals, asking questions, solving a problem or even taking a stretch break. See the Harvard-style lecture described above.
  
  
• Plan the question and answer session. Rather than simply ask, “Are there any questions?” ask, “What generalizations can you make?” Or, ask, “How does this relate to…….?”
  
  
• Ask a colleague to evaluate your lectures. Peer reviews can provide feedback about both content and delivery.
  
  
• Study the performing arts to get tips on voice control, movements and timing.

Finally, the key to effective lecturing is to Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. Skillful lecturers are more than content specialists and more than entertainers. The Doctor Fox project featured a professional entertainer who gave a dynamic presentation devoid of content. The audience included faculty, deans and students who rated the lecture as exceptional. On the other hand, brilliant scientists have given lectures so dull and disorganized---If a tree fell in the forest.