What's the Use of Lectures?: First U.S. Edition of the Classic Work on Lecturing

by Donald A. Bligh

Overview

"A comprehensive guide to the uses and possible abuses of thelecture method. Supported by copious research, Bligh offers awealth of practical suggestions for making lectures more engagingand effective. Written in an accessible and helpful style, What'sthe Use of Lectures? should be required reading for all collegeteachers who use this method."

—Stephen Brookfield, Distinguished Professor, University of St.Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota

"A rewarding read for anyone who lectures—experienced or not. Iwish we had a book this engaging and this informative on everyelement of the teaching art."

—Michele Marincovich, assistant vice provost and director, Centerfor Teaching and Learning, Stanford University

"A source of great insight for people who teach.... Bligh has spentmore time and energy than anyone else in coming to terms with atask that bothers many teachers and trainers.... His research isimpeccable and his conclusions are immensely practical. The newedition will be much welcomed."

—Alex Main, founding coordinator of Academic Staff Development forthe British Universities, Murdoch University, Australia

In this first American edition of a best-selling classic, DonaldBligh draws from decades of research and hands-on experience tohelp college and university teachers develop and use lectureseffectively. What's the Use of Lectures? is an indispensable guidefor anyone who aspires to be a skilled lecturer and teacher. Itexamines the nature of teaching and learning in a classroomlecture—describing how students learn, how much knowledge theyretain, and how to enhance their attention and motivation. Blighbuilds on this information to share strategies for creatingorganized, thoughtful, and effective lectures. Topics includetaking notes, using handouts, practicing different formats andstyles, obtaining feedback, overcoming difficulties, evaluating thelecture, and testing alternative methods when lecturing is notadequate. Also included are tables and diagrams to illustratedifferent approaches to lecturing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787951627
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	01/21/2000
Series:	Higher and Adult Education Series
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	7.05(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

DONALD A. BLIGH was a pioneer in university staff development when he joined London University's Teaching Methods Unit. It was there, in 1971, that he wrote the best-selling What's the Use of Lectures? He was later elected as Chair of the Society for Research into Higher Education. He was the first professor and director of continuing education at the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom and is now honorary research fellow in computer science at Exeter University.

Table of Contents

Preface to the American Edition xi

The Author xix

Part One: what Objectives cab Lectures Achieve?

1 Evidence of what Lectures Achieve 3

Part Two: What Factors Affect the Acquisition of Information?

2 Factors Influencing Memory 23

3 Factors Affecting Students’ Attention 44

4 Motivating Students 57

Part Three: What Lecture Techniques Apply These Factors Most Effectively?

5 Lecture Organization 69

6 Making a Point 89

7 Reasons and Explanations 103

8 Aids to Comprehending a Point 114

9 Note Taking in Lectures 129

10 The Purpose, Preparation, and Use the Handouts 148

11 Lecture Styles 163

12 Ways of Obtaining Feedback 173

13 Evaluation of Lectures 184

14 Overcoming Common Difficulties 214

15 Lectures for the Promotion of Thought 232

16 Lectures to Teach Attitudes 239

Part Four: Alternatives When Lecturing is Inadequate

17 The Lecture Method Alone is Rarely Adequate 251

18 Teaching Methods to use with Lectures 260

19 Some Combinations of Teaching Methods 282

Part Five: Preparation for the use of Lectures

20 Thinking the Lecture Through 291

21 Writing the Notes 297

22 Lecturing for the First Time 303

23 Conclusion 306

References and Bibliography 309

Name Index 335

Subject Index 341

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"In this long awaited American edition of his classic What's the Use of Lectures?, Donald Bligh provides a comprehensive guide to the uses and possible abuses of the lecture method. Supported by copious research, Bligh offers a wealth of practical suggestions for making lectures more engaging and effective. Written in an accessible and helpful style, What's the Use of Lectures? should be required reading for all college teachers who use this method." —Stephen Brookfield, Distinguished Professor, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota

"Bligh combines decades of experience as a faculty developer and in-depth knowledge of the research literature to create a refreshing review of the advantages and disadvantages of lectures and a practical guide to making lectures more effective for students. This is a rewarding read for anyone who lectures—experienced or not. I wish we had a book this engaging and this informative on every element of the teaching art." —Michele Marincovich, assistant vice provost and director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Stanford University

"What's the Use of Lectures? continues to be one of the best sources for new lecturers (as well as old) who want their lecture classes to contribute maximally to student learning." —W. J. McKeachie, professor emeritus, Department of Psychology, and research scientist emeritus, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan

"This very readable book will be a source of great insight for people who teach. Donald Bligh has spent more time and energy than anyone else in coming to terms with a task that bothers many teachers and trainers. He offers a well-structured perspective on one of the core activities in higher education. His research is impeccable and his conclusions are immensely practical. The new edition will be much welcomed." —Alex Main, founding coordinator of Academic Staff Development for the British Universities, Murdoch University, Australia

Editorial Reviews

"This book has a wealth of information and ideas..." (Exchanges, 7/19/02)"In this long awaited American edition of his classic What's theUse of Lectures?, Donald Bligh provides a comprehensive guide tothe uses and possible abuses of the lecture method. Supported bycopious research, Bligh offers a wealth of practical suggestionsfor making lectures more engaging and effective. Written in anaccessible and helpful style, What's the Use of Lectures? should berequired reading for all college teachers who use this method."—Stephen Brookfield, Distinguished Professor, University ofSt. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota

"Bligh combines decades of experience as a faculty developer andin-depth knowledge of the research literature to create arefreshing review of the advantages and disadvantages of lecturesand a practical guide to making lectures more effective forstudents. This is a rewarding read for anyone wholectures—experienced or not. I wish we had a book this engagingand this informative on every element of the teaching art."—Michele Marincovich, assistant vice provost and director,Center for Teaching and Learning, Stanford University

"What's the Use of Lectures? continues to be one of the bestsources for new lecturers (as well as old) who want their lectureclasses to contribute maximally to student learning." —W. J.McKeachie, professor emeritus, Department of Psychology, andresearch scientist emeritus, Center for Research on Learning andTeaching, University of Michigan

"This very readable book will be a source of great insight forpeople who teach. Donald Bligh has spent more time and energy thananyone else in coming to terms with a task that bothers manyteachers and trainers. He offers a well-structured perspective onone of the core activities in higher education. His research isimpeccable and his conclusions are immensely practical. The newedition will be much welcomed." —Alex Main, foundingcoordinator of Academic Staff Development for the BritishUniversities, Murdoch University, Australia

From the Publisher

Bligh (computer science, Exeter University, UK) examines the nature of teaching and learning in a classroom lecture. He describes how students learn, how much knowledge they retain, and how to enhance their attention and motivation. Topics include taking notes, using handouts, practicing different formats and styles, obtaining feedback, overcoming difficulties, evaluating the lecture, and testing alternative methods when lecturing is not adequate. This is the first American edition. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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