Date/Time
Date(s) - 15/02/2012
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Title: What to Do About Lectures

Speaker: Dr. Michael Reid – University of Toronto

Institute:

Location: ABB 102

Description:

It is well established that lectures are not the most effective means of instruction. One could even claim that the lecture format itself is inimical to our goals of cultivating critical thinking skills and a spirit of inquiry. Despite the inefficacy of lectures and the availability of alternatives, the lecture format is entrenched at most universities. Even as we aspire toward better methods of teaching, what can be done now–today–to make lectures more effective? Drawing on my experience of teaching a 1300-student introductory astronomy course, I will discuss how interactive, engaging teaching methods can be used in even the very largest classes, often without allocating additional resources to a course. These methods can improve not only the students’ understanding of the material, but their attitude toward it as well.