Giving Effective Lectures

Lecture is one of the most prevalent, and can be one of the most effective, methods used in undergraduate teaching and learning. It takes skill and thought to prepare lectures that engage students and meet their learning needs. This section contains links to sites that discuss how to think about, plan, and carry out effective lectures for all sizes and levels of courses.

Preparing to Teach The Large Lecture Course and Delivering a Lecture are excerpts from B.G. Davis' book "Tools for Teaching." They contain detailed strategies for choosing lecture styles, structuring lecture notes, and managing lecture courses, as well as tips for improving the delivery of lectures.

Suggestions for Effective Lecture Preparation and Delivery presents ideas for structuring lectures to maximize their clarity and usefulness to students.

Teaching by Lecture does not equal being a "talking book," but entails giving students more than they could get from books or printed notes. This article offers numerous considerations and suggestions for preparing effective lectures.

The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, Harvard University, suggests 20 Ways to Make Lectures More Participative.

Best Lecture Practices is a succinct list of approaches to increasing student retention of lecture material.

For more information on this or any teaching related topic, please contact  the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center (331-3498) or ftlc@gvsu.edu.