There are different methods of teaching Law. One of them is the Lecture method of teaching. For a Master’s degree in law (LLM), there are different methods of teaching study. One of them is Lecture Method. Let us see the Lecture method of teaching law.
INTRODUCTION
Teaching, in its simplest sense, is imparting knowledge. It is the connotation of experience. This experience may consist of facts, truths, doctrines, ideas, or ideals, or it may consist of the processes or skills of art. The teacher is the sender or the source, the educational material is the information or message, and the student is the receiver of the information.
The lecture method is the traditional method of teaching- Now – a – days this method is also frequently used and it is a popular method, not in our country but in European countries and the U.S.A. also adopted this method. The lecture method is very practicable, easy, and commonly used in universities and colleges. The lecture method is used to give theoretical knowledge and to create interest among students.
Objectives of Lecture Method:
1. To create interest among students.
2. To create a good healthy atmosphere in the classroom .
3. To explain legal terms and maxims.
4. Immediate solutions for students in the classroom.
CONCEPT
The lecture method is the oldest method of teaching. It is based on the philosophy of idealism. This method refers to the explanation of the topic to the students. The emphasis is on the presentation of the content. The teacher clarifies the content matter to the students by using gestures, simple devices, changing voice, changing position, and facial expressions. Teachers are more active and students are passive but the teacher also asks questions to keep the students attentive.
This method is economical and can be used among a large number of students. It saves time and also covers the syllabus. It is the simplest method for teachers and does not require any arrangements. It gives the students training in listening. It provides an opportunity for better clarification of the topics and lays stress on significant ideas. It brings personal contact and touch to impress or influence the pupils.
The lecture method is considerably cheap to operate since no special teaching aids are required. It requires nominal planning. Its expository nature provides the teacher a feeling of security as the ” influential figure ” in the class. No matter how easy this method may appear, teachers must make efforts, to plan and organize their lectures to cover the subject matter to be presented and the manner in which it will be presented.
The primary advantage of a lecture is its ability to present a large number of facts in a short period of time but it is necessary that the students should accept and understand the subject matter to be presented. The lecture method makes fewer demands on the teacher’s time for planning and preparing and is, therefore, an attractive and easy method of teaching. It is very useful in conveying factual information when introducing a new topic.
Lecture Method Of Teaching
MERITS
1. The teacher controls the topic, aims, content, organization, sequence, and rate. Emphasis can be placed where the teacher desires.
2. The lecture can be used to motivate and increase interest, clarify and explain, expand and bring in information not available to the students, and review.
3. The number of students listening to the lecturer is not important.
4. Students can interrupt for clarification or more detail.
5. The lecture can be taped, filmed, or printed for future use.
6. Other media and demonstrations can be easily combined with the lecture.
7. The lecture can be easily revised and updated.
8. The teacher can serve as a model in showing how to deal with issues and problems.
9. Students are familiar with the lecture method.
10. It is relatively less expensive as no special apparatus is needed.
11. Lecture method gives a teacher a sense of security by reliance upon the supposed authority of the dispenser of knowledge.
12. Lecture method channels the thinking of all students in a given direction.
13. Large materials can be covered in a short time period.
14. It is very economical to use
* Time Savings: In the higher education system of the country ” structure-based curriculum ” is prevailing. In such an atmosphere the teacher must be prepared to complete the course in a short – time because the ” lesser the time and bigger is the course “. Hence, the lecture method serves the object to complete the course in a short period.
* To combat minimum teaching resources: The higher education system of the country facing the problem of the minimum number of teachers and lack of resources. Thus lecture method is frequently used in our country, in the higher education system.
* Immediate modification or alteration: If there is any mistake on the part of the teacher, it is easier to correct the mistake and set right the matter. While in other methods it is not easy to rectify the mistake.
* Lecture method is easier to adopt. Useful to cover the ” bigger course in short period ” → Useful to explain the basic principle of the subject Not required any ” aids or materials ” Students feel easy to understand the matter.
DEMERITS
The lecture method is a very traditional method of teaching and, therefore has received a great deal of disapproval. In this modern era when educational methods and curriculum content are undergoing extensive reforms, we cannot continue with the old tradition as it is not so effective. As well as the grownup students cannot listen to someone continuously.
1. Some of the students may already know the content of the lecture while some may not be ready for the lecture.
2. Lectures are group-based. In India, their huge gathering is before the teacher. Some of the classes have more than one hundred students. It is possible that the teacher may not be able to pay attention to an individual.
3. It is difficult to maintain student interest and attention for a full hour of lecture.
4. The communication is mostly one-way from the teacher to the students. Usually, there is little student participation. The students who do participate are few in number and tend to be the same students in each class.
5. Most of the students are not habituated to taking notes. They sit in the class as if it is some story-telling session.
6. Lecture information is forgotten quickly, during, and after the lecture.
7. There is no immediate and direct check of whether learning has taken place. If the teacher simply delivers a lecture and walks out of the class he/she is not aware of the learning habits of the student.
8. Lectures are not effective when teaching objectives are not clear.
9. The lecture method encourages student dependence on the teacher.
10. Students are not very active when only listening .
*No creative role of student, Generally students have no response in any teaching lecture. They are just ” Silent listeners “And not so useful in practical subjects like law.
*Law subject can be understood by practice. Lack of trained and skilled teachers .
*It is just ” a way method “, where the teacher is active and students are passive.
