THE LECTURE: Boon or bane? Dilip Nair, M.D. Family & Community Health

The lecture is the most inefficient method of diffusing culture. It became obsolete with the invention of printing [and more so with the invention of the internet.] It survives only in our universities and their lay imitators, and a few other backward institutions...” B.F. Skinner, Walden Two, 1946 Cited in Residents as Teachers: A Guide to Educational Practice, Schwenk and Whitman, 1993 Emphasis mine.

Are lectures worth giving in medical education?

Nothing is worse than a poor lecture, disorganized and badly delivered. But nothing is more effective than a good lecture, combining substance with showmanship. Change Magazine, 1978

What makes a lecture effective?

Style Matters Dr. Fox Effect Neal Whitman’s experiment

Goal More effective Lectures at JCESOM

Objectives To Ask Clarifying Questions Regarding: – Lecture Construction – Lecture Delivery

Outline Lecture Construction – Appropriate Tool – Adequate Accessories Lecture Delivery – Rapport – Attention

Lecture Construction: Appropriate Tool? Overall Teaching Goals Specific Learning Objectives Format Organization Content

Question 1 How Do Lectures Fit into the Big Pedagogical Picture?

Big Pedagogical Picture Active Learning vs. Passive Learning Instructional Dialogue Assigned Independent Study

Question 2 Is a Lecture Appropriate for the Specific Learning Objectives?

Taxonomy of Objectives Cognitive Affective Behavioral

Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognition Evaluation Synthesis Analysis Application Comprehension Knowledge

Question 3 What is the most appropriate Format for the lecture?

Lecture Format Expository Participatory

Question 4 Is the Lecture adequately Organized?

Lecture Organization Introduction Preview and Overview Body Conclusion

Question 5 What is the most appropriate Content for the lecture?

Lecture Content Selected Concepts Scarce Information Complex Information

Outline Lecture Construction – Appropriate Tool – Adequate Accessories Lecture Delivery – Rapport – Attention

Lecture Construction: Adequate Accessories PowerPoint Handout Demonstrations Speaker’s Notes

Question 6 Are the PowerPoint slides appropriate?

PowerPoint Slides Legibility Simplicity Utility

Question 7 What is the most appropriate Handout?

Handouts Purpose Format

Question 8 What Practical Demonstrations might be helpful?

Demonstrations Guests Models Analogies Anecdote

Question 9 What Speaker’s Notes might be helpful?

Speaker’s Notes Reference material Optimal speaking style

Outline Lecture Construction – Appropriate Tool – Adequate Accessories Lecture Delivery – Rapport – Attention

Question 10 What might facilitate Rapport with the Learners?

Lecture Delivery: Rapport Beginning Continuing Ending

Question 11 What might facilitate the Attention of the learners?

Lecture Delivery: Attention Non-verbal communication Speaking Interacting

Where Have We Been? Lecture Construction – Appropriate Tool – Adequate Accessories Lecture Delivery – Rapport – Attention

Why Did We Go There? To Ask Clarifying Questions Regarding: – Lecture Construction – Lecture Delivery

Question 12 Are lectures worth giving in medical education?

Answer: YES! BUT: Thoughtfully constructed & Carefully Delivered