What's the Use of Lectures?In one of the highest selling books on higher/further education to date, Bligh begins by arguing that lectures are most suitable for teaching information, not promoting thought or inspiring changes in attitudes. He goes on to detail the factors that affect the learning of information. The text is formed around a thorough consideration of the techniques of lecturing, including organization, how to make a point, use handouts, and obtain feedback, but it moves beyond lecturing to discuss alternatives when they are appropriate. -- Provided by publisher. |
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I actually have the printed edition of this book, dated 1972. Owing to the critical reviews, I was tempted to open the book again. I'm glad I did
Table 8 shows a variety of teaching methods and their best use. Only a small set is focused on 'imparting information' . Other primary objectives include Empathy, Problem Solving, Manual skills, Attitude change, 'Critical' thinking, Observation, Vocational skills and so on.
I think that it is a grave disservice to this book to say that it is only about imparting information. It is about far more than that.
Although the book is old, a surprising large % of it is still highly relevant today.
Common terms and phrases
able achieved activity answer apply argument asked attention attitudes better buzz groups Chapter common compared complete concepts Conclusion Consequently consider consists context course critical detail difficult discussion effective evaluation evidence example experiments explanations factors facts Figure follow give given groups handouts ideas immediate important individual interest involved kind knowledge later learning lecture lecturer's less matter meaning memory mind minutes motivation normally note-taking notes objectives observed obtained opinions organization particularly performance period possible practice preparation presented principles problem questions ratings reading reason recall reference relatively reports requires scores selection short situation skills social stimulation style suggest Table task teacher teaching methods techniques tests thought topic understanding usually visual week write
Popular passages
Page 15 - ... lectures are relatively ineffective for changing attitudes or fostering personal or social adjustment in students. From the point of view of our interest in promoting lifelong learning skills, Bligh's findings on what he calls 'the promotion of thought' are of particular significance. He comments (p 15) that: if students are to learn to think, they must be placed in situations where they have to do so... The best way to learn to solve problems is to be given problems that have to be solved......
Page 10 - That with the possible exception of programmed learning, the lecture is as effective as any other method for transmitting information...
Page 4 - ... What led me to the method was a dissatisfaction with the conventional lecture. Drawing on a variety of research studies Bligh convincingly demonstrates the limitations of the conventional lecture: 'Comparisons of the lecture method with other teaching methods . . . suggests that it ... cannot be used on its own to promote thought or to change and develop attitudes without variations in the usual lecture techniques
References to this book
Facilitating Reflective Learning In Higher Education Brockbank, Anne,McGill, Ian No preview available - 2007 |
Action Research in Higher Education: Examples and Reflections Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt No preview available - 1992 |
Bibliographic information
| Title | What's the Use of Lectures? Jossey-Bass higher and adult education series |
| Author | Donald A. Bligh |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Intellect Books, 1998 |
| ISBN | 187151679X, 9781871516791 |
| Length | 316 pages |
| Subjects | › Psychology / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |