How Interactive can a Lecture Become?

Abstract

The uses of technology have been well documented and many people have tried to use the available technology. In an age of increasingly idevices dependent generation where on average students check their portable devices at least every 15 minutes for 15 seconds, the way students engage with the lecture and the lecturer has changed. The dynamic environment of the lecture is one which can be very enjoyable, demanding and noisy. It requires the attention of the student, note taking skills, teaching techniques, audio visual aids and timing of the lecture to work seamlessly. However, not only the student attitudes have changed but also their approach to learning and demands for more summarized information. They want less to read, eBook style information but mostly in the form of PowerPoint rather than books. They want access to the Google search engine and the algorithm to generate the correct answers in the very first search results. Unfortunately the standard social media interfaces are not particularly designed for lectures and there is always the temptation to read and answer the threads on your Facebook. A pilot study has been implemented in order to facilitate the use of social media, portable devices, forums and the good old chalk and talk technique to bring the big lectures back to life. Improve the student experience and the learning by engaging everyone. The dynamic environment of the lectures would be enhanced by allowing interaction on all levels from delivery of the unit to questions and answers to setting and sitting examinations and assignments. Even the feedback mechanism would need to change. The research would require a huge shift in the way everything is done and the cultural consequences of the change may be more of effect towards the academics, especially ones with longer teaching experience.