Topic 175

175. Some students like classes where teachers lecture (do all of the talking) in class. Other students prefer classes where the students do some of the talking. Which type of class do you prefer? Give specific reasons and details to support your choice.

DISTINCTIVE CHOICE UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES

Whether professors should lecture all the time or encourage students to engage in vehement discussion in class primarily depends on special courses. In cases of traditional scientific subjects, such as mathematic, physics, etc, it is better for teachers to give lessons on their own. In other cases, such as literature, fine art, and so forth, it is better for mentors to inspire neophytes to discuss. In still other cases, lecturing and discussion can be integrated together to provide a good choice.

As a threshold matter, in traditional subjects of a long history, efficiency of both teaching and learning would be higher to lecture, rather than to debate. This is especially true in physics, mathematic, to name just a few. As a common sense, this kind of specialties requires rigorous logical thinking and coherent comprehension of objective world. Thus, if a teacher dominates class, it will be easier for him or her to put knowledge in a clarified pattern -- origins, development and outcomes. Moreover, this kind of teaching also enables students to better understand what is taught, in respect that they are not always disrupted by questions which can be solved after class.

Secondly, with respect to literal courses, for example, language, history, and so forth, students who are actively engaged in debate with professors who instruct and classmates could learn much more than those who merely "listen" to speeches given from blackboard. There are several benefits of discussing in literal subjects. For instance, consider a circumstance in which a teacher is talking about Shakespeare’s works with students. It is highly possible that the teacher only refer to certain patterns created by Shakespeare. However, if students propose various questions about historical background of that period, such as why Voltaire rejected Shakespeare’s works as barbaric, both professors and students stand to gain a lot.

Thirdly, sometimes neither lecturing nor discussion is the better choice of teaching and learning, such as some practical field studies -- computer science. In such circumstance, combing lecturing and debating may be the best selection, which is determined by the features of computer science. Computer science has something to do with math, such as algorithms, which needs to be explained in detail like what is done in lecturing. On the other hand, programming is also an paramount factor in mastering computer science, which demands ardent discussion among groups. Therefore, it is a wise decision to integrate lecturing and debate in such a course.

In summary, there is no silver bullet to the question that whether lecturing or discussion is a better choice. In traditional subjects, it is better to select lectures; in cases of literal subjects, it is better to encourage discussion; nevertheless, in some modern subjects, combination would be the most beneficial choice.