| The noun "lecture" dates from 14th century, [[meaning]] "[[action]] of [[reading]], that which is [[read]]," from the [[Latin]] lectus, pp. of legere "to read." Its subsequent [[meaning]] as "a [[discourse]] on a given subject before an [[audience]] for purposes of instruction" is from the 16th century. The verb "to lecture" is attested from 1590. The noun "lectern" refers to the reading desk used by lecturers. In British English and several other [[languages]] the noun "lecture" must grammatically be the object of the verb "to [[read]]." | | The noun "lecture" dates from 14th century, [[meaning]] "[[action]] of [[reading]], that which is [[read]]," from the [[Latin]] lectus, pp. of legere "to read." Its subsequent [[meaning]] as "a [[discourse]] on a given subject before an [[audience]] for purposes of instruction" is from the 16th century. The verb "to lecture" is attested from 1590. The noun "lectern" refers to the reading desk used by lecturers. In British English and several other [[languages]] the noun "lecture" must grammatically be the object of the verb "to [[read]]." |
| Though lectures are much [[criticized]] as a [[pedagogical]] [[method]], universities have not yet found [[practical]] alternative teaching methods for the large [[majority]] of their courses. Critics point out that lecturing is mainly a one-way [[method]] of [[communication]] that does not involve significant [[audience]] [[participation]]. Therefore, lecturing is often [[contrasted]] to [[active]] [[learning]]. Lectures delivered by [[talented]] speakers can be highly stimulating; at the very least, lectures have [[survived]] in academia as a quick, cheap and [[efficient]] way of introducing large [[numbers]] of [[students]] to a particular field of [[study]]. | | Though lectures are much [[criticized]] as a [[pedagogical]] [[method]], universities have not yet found [[practical]] alternative teaching methods for the large [[majority]] of their courses. Critics point out that lecturing is mainly a one-way [[method]] of [[communication]] that does not involve significant [[audience]] [[participation]]. Therefore, lecturing is often [[contrasted]] to [[active]] [[learning]]. Lectures delivered by [[talented]] speakers can be highly stimulating; at the very least, lectures have [[survived]] in academia as a quick, cheap and [[efficient]] way of introducing large [[numbers]] of [[students]] to a particular field of [[study]]. |
− | Lectures have a significant role outside the classroom, as well. [[Academic]] and [[scientific]] awards routinely include a lecture as part of the [[honor]], and academic [[conference]]s often [[center]] around "keynote addresses", i.e., lectures. The [[public]] lecture has a long [[history]] in [[the sciences]] and in [[social movement]]s. Union halls, for instance, historically have hosted numerous free and public lectures on a wide variety of matters. Similarly, churches, [[community]] centers, [[libraries]], museums, and other [[organizations]] have hosted lectures in furtherance of their missions or their constituents' interests.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lecture] | + | Lectures have a significant role outside the classroom, as well. [[Academic]] and [[scientific]] awards routinely include a lecture as part of the [[honor]], and academic [[conference]]s often [[center]] around "keynote addresses", i.e., lectures. The [[public]] lecture has a long [[history]] in [[the sciences]] and in [[social movement]]s. Union halls, for instance, historically have hosted numerous free and public lectures on a wide variety of matters. Similarly, churches, [[community]] centers, [[libraries]], museums, and other [[organizations]] have hosted lectures in furtherance of their missions or their constituents' interests.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lecture] |