Interactive or lecture style
By dream_ozn
@dream_ozn (1754)
Singapore
May 26, 2011 10:19am CST
In Singapore, students are more used to lecture styles teaching. However, over in the US, schools there favor interaction and have a lot of points allocated to class participation. Singapore is currently trying to incorporate some elements of interactivity into its lessons.
However, being brought up by the Singapore education's system, even though i am enrolled in a US college, i still prefer a lecture style learning. However, i know that this is not realistic because in the real world, we have to communicate with people and social skills are extremely important.
What about you? What kind of teaching style do you prefer? Interactive type or more of a lecture style?
6 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
29 May 11
Here in UK the interactive approach dominates particularly at higher levels of education. Students from US, Japan and elsewhere are often surprised by the degree to which university students engage dialectically with tutors
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@Leeteukwifey (42)
• Philippines
27 May 11
Interactive style of teaching means student centered thats the meaning here in my country Philippines. Its building relationships with their students in a different way of teaching however, it is a strategy wherein the teacher doesn't only focus on his/her lecture but to all the students in the classroom as well. They focus on the behavior of the students towards the lecture and ask them if they understand the lesson itself if not they would probably focus on the student who are slow learners, and give them what the need examples are tutorial and remedial classes! :)
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
27 May 11
Definitely. It is important to get a good lecturer because there are some who just teach and go back to their office after class and give minimal help. However, if we meet with a good lecturer, it's more important that anything.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
26 May 11
I grew up in Denmark and in my country the schools use the interactive style, and I have been used to that style ever since I started school. I was very shy when I was a child and I didn't like the interactive style, because I had to talk and had to participate and I wasn't able to hide in the crowd and just listen to a lecture. Today I am an adult and I am able to look at the interactive style from a different perspective. I think that there are many advantages about this style, because the students are able to discuss their ideas and they are able explore the topic in a different way. I think that we can learn a lot of that kind of discussions.
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
27 May 11
There are definitely many advantage with the interactive style of teaching. Discussing in class are much more beneficial than just sitting down there listening to what the teacher has to say from her slides.
Indeed, because I am shy, i don't really like the interactive style of teaching too. Even until today. However, i think i really need to acknowledge the fact that interactive learning has more advantages for students and i need to learn to embrace it.
@RobtheRock (2433)
• United States
30 May 11
I prefer the Interactive style although both are needed. I am a former teacher and tutor in the field of adult education and have used both for my classes. I like interactive because then I can catch misunderstandings before they blossom out of control.
@BenA10 (36)
• United States
26 May 11
I definitely prefer interactive learning. With that style, I can give my input and get feedback from my peers about thoughts that I have or respond to their thoughts. In a lecture style, you don't really have an option about what you learn, it's all up to the instructor. When it's interactive, the participants can drive the discussion and touch on the points that are important or most interesting to them.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this interactive learning all throughout my career as a student, and even in the masters program that I am currently in, we have a majority of this kind of learning, and I feel that I am learning much more than I could if we were simply being lectured to for hours on end.
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
27 May 11
Definitely, in a lecture style, we keep our opinions to ourselves and let the teacher do all the talking. Sure, i also believe that we learn much more when we interact with each other, with the lecturer. We can also remember things better by sharing our though, our views and discussing them.
However, in Singapore, because we were all brought up using lecture styles, many of us have some difficulty participating in class discussions.
Even though i know that interactive teaching will benefit me more, but deep down I somehow feel uncomfortable with speaking out during lectures.
Hope I will speak up more often in class!
@yougenie27 (6)
•
27 May 11
I prefer interactive type of learning. The learner does not only learn from the teacher and other learners, they also get to hone their communication skills and likely overcome shyness with public speaking. For me, interactive learners are more well rounded individuals especially when they are launched to the real world.
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
27 May 11
Yes, they get to hone their communication skills. For me, i have to be prepared if i want to speak in front of the class. Everytime i speak without any preparation, i'll stammer and have lots of uhs, aa, etc. Which is really not good for me when i go into the workforce because no boss would tolerate that.
I admit that i'm shy, especially in front of strangers and therefore a little afraid of speaking out my view being afraid that people will think that my idea is silly and therefore, i don't speak out. However, i really need to overcome this shyness in me.
Definitely, more rounded individuals. Because if we were in a lecture style, our exams will test us on our memory, how well we are able to memorize. Rather, a interactive style allows us to speak, to think.
