Let me start by telling you a couple of stories about lecturers so you can see how different techniques work – or don’t.
Legal studies 101
I’ve just seen the most wonderful story, on social media, about effective lecturing. Here is a pruned version. Even if you have seen it, it’s worth another look.
It’s the first lecture on Legal Studies 101. The professor enters the hall and slowly looks round the class. Eventually he points at a student in the third row.
"You there, what’s your name?”
"Sandra," the girl replies.
"Leave my lecture hall now. I don't want to see you in my lecture."
Everyone is quiet while Sandra packs up her stuff and leaves. The professor looks around at the much intimidated class.
“Why are there laws?" he asks. Silence.
He asks again, "What are laws for?" A few hesitant answers are heard.
"Social order?”
"To protect personal rights?"
"So that you can rely on the state?"
The professor is not satisfied.
"Justice?" calls out one student.
"Correct! Did I behave justly towards Sandra?"
Everyone shakes their heads.
"Indeed I did not. Why didn't anyone protest? Why didn't you try to stop me? Why didn't you do anything to prevent this injustice?"
Nobody answers.
The professor then goes on to explain that what they have just witnessed would have taken many hours of lectures, if they hadn’t just lived through this injustice.
He stressed that if you don’t fight for justice, you will ultimately be the victim of injustice.
A wonderful lesson and beautifully illustrated with a story they will recall to the grave.
Remember, Ithe students and emotion being memory glue. The lecturer used them both beautifully. He had every one of them emotionally involved.
