Symposium method of teaching

DR. MAHESWARI JAIKUMAR.maheswarijaikumar2103@gmail.com

SYMPOSIUM

DEFINITION• Symposium is defined as a teaching

technique that serves as an excellent method for informing the audience, crystallizing their opinion and preparing them for arriving at decision regarding a particular issue or a topic.

DEFINITION• Symposium is a discussion

method in which different view points on a single aspect of a topic is discussed.

• Symposium is a series of speeches on single aspect of a topic.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEMINAR & SYMPOSIUM

SEMINAR SYMPOSIUM

Topics are related to recent trends and developments in a discipline

Topics are related to controversial issues in a discipline

Multiple aspects of the topic under consideration is discussed

Single aspect of the topic is discussed

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEMINAR & SYMPOSIUM

SEMINAR SYMPOSIUM

Chairperson has to exert less control

Chairperson has to exert more control

Less time for discussion involving participants

More time for discussion involving participants

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEMINAR & SYMPOSIUM

SEMINAR SYMPOSIUM

Comparitively less preparation from the sides of participants

Demand more preparation from the side of participants

PURPOSES• To identify and understand

various aspects of a theme.

• To develop the ability arrive a decision and provide judgement for a problem.

• To develop values and feelings regarding a problem.

• To provide understanding to the students or listerners on a theme or problem to specifically develop certain values and feelings.

• To enable the listeners form policies regarding a theme or a problem.

• To investigate a problem from several points of view.

• To boost students' abilities to speak in the group.

• To encourage the students to study independently.

CHARACTERISTICS• Symposium provides a broad

understanding of a topic or problem.

• The listener is provided with an opportunity to take decisions about a problem.

• This method is used in higher classes for specific theme or a problem.

• It develops a feelings of cooperation and adjustment.

• Symposium technique helps in acheiving the objectives of synthesis and evaluation.

• It provides different views on the topic of the symposuim.

PRINCIPLES• The speeches may be

persuasive, argumentative and informative.

• Original presentation is objective and accurate.

INFORMATIVE SPEECH

PERSUASIVE SPEECH

ARGUMENTATIVE SPEECH

• The method always includes a summary at conclusion.

• Each speech proceeds without interruption.

• Each speech proceeds without interruption.

• The chairman of the symposium introduces the topic, suggests its importance and sometimes indicates the general approaches.

• All members of the syposium performing group can sit in a straight line behind the table; or in adjoining chairs with the chairman in the middle or to one side of the speakers.

• The symposium presents two conflicting points of view, the reading arrangement can seperate the speakers on the platform to indicate differences in opinin or to preserve peace.

GUIDELINES• The chairman of the

symposium introduces the topic and suggests something of its importance.

• Two or more speakers talk from 10 to 20 minutes.

• The speech may be persuasive, argumentative, informative or evocative. Each speech proceeds without interruption.

• The speeches are followed by questions or comments from the audience as in the panel form.

• The speeches are followed by questions or comments from the audience as in the panel form.

ADVANTAGES• Symposium can be used to

address a large group or class.

• This method can be frequently used to present broad topics for discussion at conventions and organization of meetings.

• In symposium, the principle of organization is high as the speeches are prepared beforehand.

• It gives a deeper insight into a topic.

• It directs the students to continuous independent study.

• This method can be used in political meetings.

DISADVANTAGES• Symposium does not provide

adequate opportunity for all the students to participate actively.It has limited audience participation.

• The speech is limited to 10 to 20 minutes.

• Questions and Answer session is limited to 3 to 4 minutes.

• It has possibility of overlapping of subjects.

• The chairman has no control over the speakers as they have full freedom to prepare the theme for discussion. They can present any aspect of the theme or problem.

• There is a possibility of repetition of content. The different aspects of the theme are not prepared separately. It creates difficulty of understanding for the listeners.

• The different aspects of the theme are not presented simultaneously. Therefore the listeners are not able to understand the theme correctly.

• The listeners remain passive in the symposium because they are not given an opportunity to seek clarification and question in between the symposium.