12 Step Program

for Lecture-hall-ics

Neil Quisenberry (Sociology)

Alan Alewine (Mathematics)

Quiz Are you irresistibly drawn to the podium

every time you enter a classroom? Do you become irritable when a student’s

raised hand interrupts your monologue? Are members of your class still nameless

and faceless to you by midterm? Do you still believe that students eagerly

await the pearls of wisdom that drop from your lips?

Key Concepts The problem is not lecturing but

the abuse of the method by going on lecture binges.

Excessive, out-of-control lecturing is an addiction.

Recovery is possible through a 12 step program.

Over-Lecturing Problems? Lecture in moderation. You control your lectures; your lectures

do not control you. Use interactive lectures

(lecturette/groupette)

Lecturettes are . . .

Little Lectures

Of

Limited Length

(LLOLL)

Groupettes are . . .

Small Concentrated

Activities

Needing Communication

(SCANC)

Step 1Acknowledge that you have a problem in your

teaching; it’s not yet perfect.

Puttin’ on the Hits(3 Step Interview)

Each group member receives a number from 1 to 4.

Begin in pairs (1&2; 3&4). Set a time limit. Tell your story to your partner; partner listens.

Switch. (I-Step 1) Tell your partner’s story to the group.

(I-Step 2) Tell the class. (I-Step 3)

Communication Skills Used in this Activity

Sharing your own ideas Listening to the ideas of others Paraphrasing Taking turns

STEP 2Admit that there is an educational power (or perspective) greater than yourself and turn

yourself over to that higher power or perspective!

WHAT IS ACTIVE LEARNING?

Active learning may involve…Learning by doing.Discussion with othersThinking, reasoning, problem-solving, etc.Reading, writing, drawing, computing, doing kinesthetic activities, making music, etc.Working with manipulativesActive learning is NOT simply listening.

The Round-Robin Line-up

This is one example of an active learning exercise….

Break class into small groups of 4-5 students. Make one student from each group the reporter. Groups will brainstorm about an idea being discussed in

class. Reporters from each group line up in front of the class. In round-robin fashion, each reporter quickly explains one

idea from his/her group. Continue with round-robin until all ideas are shared with the

class.

STEP 3

Make a searching and fearless inventory of your teaching practices.

Approaches to taking inventory

Student evaluations Peer observations Video-taping Suggestion box Classroom assessments

Classroom Assessment Techniques

One-minute papers Comprehension signals (we’ll explain!) Diagnostic quizzes Listening in on group discussions Attending to group feedback Others?

STEP 4

Atone for your “wrongs”Be action-oriented, not guilt-oriented!

Ways to Atone by Changing your Practice

Enroll in workshops for faculty (duh!) Read about active learning (AL) strategies Try a new AL strategy with your students Observe another teaching who uses AL Co-plan an AL lesson with another teacher Team teach an AL lesson Form an AL support group (or join the teaching circle!)

Ways to Atone by Doing Penance

Invite former students to lecture to YOU! Attend boring, endless lectures (Betsy Gordon!) and

sit in a hard chair in the back of the room. Listen to tapes of your worst lectures. Purge yellowed lecture notes from your files. Volunteer to chair a committee on the importance of

active learning. Other ideas?

STEP 5

Maintain the Improvements you have made in your teaching

Staying on the Wagon

Remember to meditate or reflect on your teaching. Be aware of internal and environmental cues that

can trigger your addiction. When faced with temptation to lecture,

1. Call your support team2. Make use of affirmations

Sample Affirmations

Lectures all day keep learning at bay. Lectures through the day keep students in a daze. A little lecturing goes a long way, a lot of lecturing

makes a long day. A lecture a day keeps the students away. Talk the talk and the students will walk, walk, walk! Other affirmations?

STEP 6

Spread the word to other addicts.

Spread the Word

Model the techniques of active learning Embody this higher power in your teaching Meet regularly with your support group (teaching

circle) Share ideas and resources for active learning Emphasize interactive learning by alternating short

lectures with brief pair or group activities

Resources

Cooperative Learning: Increasing College Faculty Instructional Productivity http://www.ntlf.com/html/lib/bib/92-2dig.htm

Cooperative Learning Resourceshttp://www.iasce.net/resources.shtml

The International Association for the Study of Cooperation in Educationhttp://www.iasce.net/welcome.htm

Lecturehallics’ Anonymous Pledgerecite together

I am a lecture-hall-ic and I must invoke the help of the higher power of active learning.

Today, I will control my lecturing. Instead of living to lecture, I will lecture only to inspire, illuminate, invigorate, and inform.

I will alternate between little lectures and active learning strategies.

When feeling the temptation to go on a lecture binge, I will recite my affirmation(s), call my support group and connect to my PAL (power of active learning).

I will reach out and support my brother and sister lecture-hall-ics, and help them stay on the wagon of active learning.