Cecil user group debate For: Cathy Gunn Against: Helen Sword Motion: All teaching staff should be required to put their lecture notes online

For Students want & like it Works for small & large classes Provides an ‘advance organizer’ for students… …who can listen instead of taking notes

For Gives students choice / control Promotes autonomy Accommodates diversity Assists ESL students Serves as integral part of teaching strategy Enhances lecture presentation Aids revision

Against Spoonfeeds students Promotes passive learning Discourages attendance Encourages students to regard education as a product, not a process Subverts the educational principle that all learning is mediated

Against Signals to students that they should study for content only Allows no room for questioning Opens the door to plagiarism? Raises issues of intellectual property ownership

Summary Depends on: –Lecture notes or study materials? –What purpose is served? –How notes will be used –Is active learning promoted? –Learning is more than reading