Description
Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to the uses and possible abuses of thelecture method. Supported by copious research, Bligh offers awealth of practical suggestions for making lectures more engagingand effective. Written in an accessible and helpful style, What''sthe Use of Lectures? should be required reading for all collegeteachers who use this method.
--Stephen Brookfield, Distinguished Professor, University of St.Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota
A rewarding read for anyone who lectures--experienced or not. Iwish we had a book this engaging and this informative on everyelement of the teaching art.
--Michele Marincovich, assistant vice provost and director, Centerfor Teaching and Learning, Stanford University
A source of great insight for people who teach.... Bligh has spentmore time and energy than anyone else in coming to terms with atask that bothers many teachers and trainers.... His research isimpeccable and his conclusions are immensely practical. The newedit
Trade Review"This book has a wealth of information and ideas..." (Exchanges, 7/19/02)"In this long awaited American edition of his classic What's theUse of Lectures?, Donald Bligh provides a comprehensive guide tothe uses and possible abuses of the lecture method. Supported bycopious research, Bligh offers a wealth of practical suggestionsfor making lectures more engaging and effective. Written in anaccessible and helpful style, What's the Use of Lectures? should berequired reading for all college teachers who use this method."--Stephen Brookfield, Distinguished Professor, University ofSt. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota
"Bligh combines decades of experience as a faculty developer andin-depth knowledge of the research literature to create arefreshing review of the advantages and disadvantages of lecturesand a practical guide to making lectures more effective forstudents. This is a rewarding read for anyone wholectures--experienced or not. I wish we had a book this engagingand this informative on every element of the teaching art."--Michele Marincovich, assistant vice provost and director,Center for Teaching and Learning, Stanford University
"What's the Use of Lectures? continues to be one of the bestsources for new lecturers (as well as old) who want their lectureclasses to contribute maximally to student learning." --W. J.McKeachie, professor emeritus, Department of Psychology, andresearch scientist emeritus, Center for Research on Learning andTeaching, University of Michigan
"This very readable book will be a source of great insight forpeople who teach. Donald Bligh has spent more time and energy thananyone else in coming to terms with a task that bothers manyteachers and trainers. He offers a well-structured perspective onone of the core activities in higher education. His research isimpeccable and his conclusions are immensely practical. The newedition will be much welcomed." --Alex Main, foundingcoordinator of Academic Staff Development for the BritishUniversities, Murdoch University, Australia
Table of ContentsPreface to the American Edition xi
The Author xix
Part One: what Objectives cab Lectures Achieve?
1 Evidence of what Lectures Achieve 3
Part Two: What Factors Affect the Acquisition of Information?
2 Factors Influencing Memory 23
3 Factors Affecting Students’ Attention 44
4 Motivating Students 57
Part Three: What Lecture Techniques Apply These Factors Most Effectively?
5 Lecture Organization 69
6 Making a Point 89
7 Reasons and Explanations 103
8 Aids to Comprehending a Point 114
9 Note Taking in Lectures 129
10 The Purpose, Preparation, and Use the Handouts 148
11 Lecture Styles 163
12 Ways of Obtaining Feedback 173
13 Evaluation of Lectures 184
14 Overcoming Common Difficulties 214
15 Lectures for the Promotion of Thought 232
16 Lectures to Teach Attitudes 239
Part Four: Alternatives When Lecturing is Inadequate
17 The Lecture Method Alone is Rarely Adequate 251
18 Teaching Methods to use with Lectures 260
19 Some Combinations of Teaching Methods 282
Part Five: Preparation for the use of Lectures
20 Thinking the Lecture Through 291
21 Writing the Notes 297
22 Lecturing for the First Time 303
23 Conclusion 306
References and Bibliography 309
Name Index 335
Subject Index 341
