In a controlled experiment, students in two sections of introductory sociology were exposed either to conventional classroom lectures or to identical lectures broadcast live in an adjacent room on a television monitor. Class attendance and learning under the two modes were statistically equivalent. The findings confirm those of past studies.…

Outlines positive and negative features of the lecture method and the resource-based learning method, recounts a personal experience with the responsive lecture, and discusses its potential. (MBR)

Critics of student writing in British lecture courses as "mere rehash of lecture notes" are reminded that (1) by its nature, the lecture course focuses on and is limited to information conveyed in lectures, and (2) professors refuse to use materials such as U.S. textbooks that could supplement the information conveyed in class. (MSE)

The purpose of this study was to compare the knowledge about art acquired by students who went on site visits with that of students who experienced only the lecture method of teaching. A study was conducted at Boricua College (New York) with two groups of 25 students each, one participating as a control and one as an experimental group. The…

Describes components of videodisc learning stations, and discusses important factors distinguishing videodisc technology from other forms of instruction that make it likely to succeed where self-paced instruction has fallen short. Elements of other educational formats are also examined and related to strengths and disadvantages of videodiscs. (MBR)

Describes and evaluates a technique used in two science lecture courses (biochemistry and introductory meteorology), in which lectures were interspersed with frequent, brief discussions within spontaneously formed small groups. Some differences were found in the ways the two professors managed the technique, but both felt in-class participation…

An alternative method for teaching a three-credit, undergraduate library instruction course for students other than library science majors was explored at Southern Connecticut State University. It was believed that traditional methods of instruction--e.g., lecturing in libraries and using paper handouts--were colorless, failed to engage students,…

Techniques for providing variety and effectiveness within the lecture format are described, including the oral essay, participatory lecture, problem-solving approach, alternating mini-lectures and discussions, modeling analytical skills, debate, simulation and role-playing, and the affective/emotional media lecture. (MSE)

A study compared the effect of two different lecture pause procedures (pauses used for reflection and notetaking; pauses used for discussion) on the recall and note completeness of 27 college students with learning disabilities. Results show independent reflection meant fewer ideas partially recorded in notes, but otherwise no significant…

Examines how reading ability relates to course performance in an introductory developmental psychology course. Compares personalized system of instruction (PSI) to contingency managed lecture (CML) sections. Shows previous academic performance best predicted final examination scores for CML students while reading comprehension best predicted PSI…

The present study drew on existing theories and research to further uncover the mysteries of the college teaching/learning paradigm, particularly the causal links between effective instruction and student learning of novel lecture material. The experimental design involved 380 introductory psychology students and consisted of a Lecture…

Individualized instruction optimizes time spent by student and teacher for the greatest benefit of both. Most instructional time is currently spent lecturing. By replacing live lectures with recorded lectures, the teacher is free to provide personal, individualized instruction to each student. An effective one-to-one student-teacher ratio is…

Compares differences in successive pretest/posttest scores for 46 undergraduate volunteers following the application of distinct teaching formats to each of 3 consecutive subsections of a human physiology course. Indicates scores increased favorably for audio-visual lecture and self-study tutorial formats but no significant increase for didactic…

Reports findings of two experiments examining perceived differences among teaching styles and identifying subjects' perceptions of their own teaching styles. Teaching styles were rated by 188 elementary education students and 99 music students using transcripts from audiotape recordings of music classroom sessions. Found feedback more effective…

In its use of complex, real-world problems to introduce concepts and motivate learning in an active and cooperative learning environment, problem-based learning is a powerful alternative to the passive lecture in introductory college science. Use of technology and multimedia instruction, focus on large classes, and use of interdisciplinary…