Re: learning from lectures Re: Stone article

Robin Harwood (HARWOOD who-is-at UConnVM.UConn.Edu)
Wed, 08 May 96 19:28:47 EDT

>Maybe instead of our tradition of research looking for what's
>best, or what's better, we need more research that really finds
>out from many participants' viewpoints what the advantages and
>disadvantages of different format appear to be, and then to see
>how one can practically arrange things to allow greater flexibility
>and diversity of arrangements. JAY.

I think this is an excellent idea--flexibility and diversity
are probably key to both traditional formats ("lecture" and "seminar").
For myself, I try to incorporate small group learning experiences
in my lecture courses, and I'm sure I go off on lecture-like
monologues at times in my seminars. Sometimes I think the primary
difference is really class size, which limits students' feelings
of accountability (as Dewey noted), and also inhibits their
willingness to speak up if they have a question or comment.

Robin