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SUMMARY Interactive lecturing involves an increased interchange between teachers, students and the lecture content. The use of interactive lectures can promote active learning, heighten attention and motivation, give feedback to the teacher and the student, and increase satisfaction for both. This article describes a number of interactive techniques that can be used in large group presentations as well as general strategies that can promote interactivity during lectures.
Have you ever given or attended an interactive lecture? What was it that made it interactive? What were your impressions of this method of teaching?
Whereas much has been written about effective lecturing and presentation skills in medical education (Cox & Ewan, 1988; Laidlaw, 1988; Newble & Cannon, 1994), little has been written about the benefits and strategies of interactive lecturing for medical teachers. The goals of this article are to describe the advantages and indications for interactive lectures, to discuss common fears and concerns about using this method of teaching, to outline a number of interactive techniques that can be incorporated into medical teaching at all levels, and to highlight general guidelines for successful interaction and audience participation.
What is interactive lecturing?
Interactive lecturing can be interpreted in a number of different ways. For some, interactive lecturing involves a two-way interaction between the presenter and the participants. For others, it refers to increased discussion among the participants. Interaction can also refer to a student's' involvement with the material or the content of a lecture; it does not necessarily mean that the audience has to do all of the talking. In all cases, however, interactive lecturing implies active involvement and participation by the audience so that students are no longer passive in the learning process.
Interactive lecturing also implies a different way of approaching the teacher's role. In giving this type of presentation, the 'instructor' frequently becomes a 'facilitator' or 'coach', and more often than not, has to modify the lecture content to allow for discussion and to try new techniques.
For the purpose of this discussion, the term 'lecture' will refer to any large group presentation, at any level of the educational system. It is important to note, however, that the number of students in the audience does not dictate whether the lecture can be interactive....