This semester I might kill my lecture. I’ve never been a fan of the traditional lecture format anyway. Personally I’ve always struggled in classes where the professor talked to me for an hour while I took notes. I learned sometime ago the best professors can teach to all three learning styles (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). One of the reasons why I had trouble sitting still in class was because I am a kinesthetic learner!
In recent years I’ve used the 10-minute model. Every ten minutes I would change my instruction method. A 50-minute period would equal 5 changes. So in addition to a lecture I also include group work, journal time, peer teaching and reflection. This has worked well but I want to allow students more time to discuss with and teach each other. I’m leaning toward deleting the lecture portion altogether and dividing up the time between the other elements.
I’ve been reading about several professors who have killed their lectures. Their innovation in the classroom has increased their students’ engagement. Some have even won awards for the successful implementation of this new strategy. I’m excited and nervous about this change. Tradition suggest that this shouldn’t be done but if the best organizations adapt in order to stay relevant shouldn’t the best educators?
