Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching
https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/lecturing/
Article: Instructional Strategies
Lecturing
Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching
Lynn’s
Recommendation
This guide shares advice for giving effective traditional lectures and interactive lectures, including tips for presentation, effective visuals, and opportunities for students to do more than just listen.
“Lecturing is not simply a matter of standing in front of a class and reciting what you know. The classroom lecture is a special form of communication in which voice, gesture, movement, facial expression, and eye contact can either complement or detract from the content. No matter what your topic, your delivery and manner of speaking immeasurably influence your students’ attentiveness and learning.”
The above quote is from “Delivering a Lecture,” a chapter in Barbara Gross Davis’ classic text Tools for Teaching. That chapter is an excellent resource for learning how to lecture well. See also Davis’ chapter, “Preparing to Teach the Large Lecture Course.”
When planning a lecture, keep in mind that you have control or influence over several elements of your classroom.