What is an Alternative to Lectures?

Barbara McSwain
Oct 05, 2009

In an age where students are surrounded by multi- stimuli in every area of their lives, the traditional lecture is not only boring, but it is not likely to increase student achievement!  What are some alternatives?

One suggestion is to have students use a graphic organizer that matches the text structure of their text and/or your lecture for guided note-taking.  At different points in the lecture, you may want to have collaborative pairs work on their notes together or to compare the notes that they have taken to that point.  At the conclusion of the lecture, you may use a Mix/Fre eze activity which will give them the opportunity to talk with groups of 3-5 students about specific content notes they have taken.  You may assist them by using a teacher prompt to direct group discussions.  Students will use the notes which they have recorded on their graphic organizers as a scaffold for group discussions.  Students Mix- Freeze for 3 minutes and talk about the content before "Mixing" again.  The teacher will call out "Freeze" and the students will again get in groups of 3-5 students to discuss a new teacher prompt.  This allows students the opportunity to process important lecture information while collaborating and discussing material.

Another lecture choice is the Multiple Choice Activity.  Students will need colored copy paper/colored index cards for this assignment.  Students label the 4 color copy paper/index cards A, B, C or D.  The teacher would need to prepare a series of multiple choice questions based on the content of the lecture.  It is important to keep the integrity of the per! formance standards as a benchmark for your questions.  You will want to include comprehension strategies as well as Extending Thinking skills with the content of the questions.  You may place a multiple choice question on the Smart Board or Power Point.  As you lecture, stop every few minutes and ask questions, giving pairs or individuals an opportunity to respond.  Learners can hold up the appropriate colored paper to indicate their answer.  This could also be done as a team activity.  Remember, choice is the #1 motivator for students.  If errors occur in student responses, take the time to have a brief discussion to clarify any errors in thinking that are occurring.

A third lecture choice is to have the students take turns role playing a TV News reporter.  The reporter can interview you the teacher or another student by using a list of questions that the students provide.  You may want to have some questions prepared to add to the list.  The audience (students) may ask questions during the interview verbally as well.

You as teachers are the experts!  Please email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or our general mailbox, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), with ideas you have to share.  Together, as we share our ideas with others, we can increase student achievement/