UPDATING THE LECTURE FORMAT FOR 21ST CENTURY LEARNERS

The lecture has been the backbone for teaching for as long as teachers have stood in font of the classroom to teach. It is the method of learning most used in schools but it may not be the best method to transfer knowledge to 21st century students. Various studies have indicated students do not retain knowledge unless they are active participants in the learning process. The lecture method of instruction is based upon passive learning and not active learning where the students are purposely engaged in the learning process. Certainly lectures can include active learning components, but the passive nature of learning from a lecture does not help students retain knowledge as well as they would when they are actively engaged in learning the material.

For most educators the lecture is the tried and true method to teach the material. Most likely because that is the way teaching has been conducted in the past, and the time it would take to update curriculum to include a more active learning process may seem daunting. Unfortunately, it may be time for teachers to find the time to update their teaching practices if they truly want to reach today’s students.

Various methods of creating a more active learning environment have been researched and tested over the years. These include creating a flipped classroom in which the students review lecture material outside of the regular class time and then engage in more active learning during the face-to-face time with the teacher based upon what they learned outside the classroom. Another term to describe a flipped classroom is a hybrid classroom.

Peer instruction is another method to update lectures. Peer instruction uses teaching methods that encourage students to help each other learn the material. An example of peer instruction is the use of clickers to answer questions during a lecture. Students then help each other learn the material with the teacher acting as a guide.

Technology such as smartphones and learning management systems can also be used to engage students and create an active learning environment.

This paper will provide a review of various teaching methodologies that can be used to update the traditional lecture and create a more active learning environment for students. An historical timeline of the lecture and the other various teaching methods will also be included.