This study investigated whether undergraduate non-native speakers of English had difficulties comprehending information in a science lecture whose discourse organization went beyond a basic problem-solution structure. It found that the comprehension difficulties of the non-native speakers were also found among many of the native speakers. (25…

Microanalyzes graph use in lectures drawn from artifacts compiled from videotaping all lectures and seminars in a 13-week ecology course. Focuses on both the text and the gesture-related references made in the reading of a graph in an ecology lecture. Contains 36 references. (DDR)

Pharmacology is taught on a dedicated module for nurse prescribers who have a limited physical science background. To facilitate learning a problem-based approach was adopted. However, to enhance students' knowledge of drug action a PharmaCALogy software package from the British Pharmacological Society was used. Students were alternately given a…

A "colloqution module" (an instructional unit/strategy used in a conversation) consists of a reading assignment and a series of questions/activities. The strategy is suggested as an alternative to the lecture method. A sample module on insecticides (together with design information and advantages/disadvantages) is included. (DH)

Lists postulates on which the author bases his approach to large class instruction. Suggestions are given for such administrative, operational, and academic procedures as organizing handouts and class information; avoiding "busy work"; finding out about the students (personal and academic); making an assignment due every class; and providing quick…

Describes using Postlethwait's audio-tutorial system to supplement videotaped lectures. (LS)

Lecturing hints, periodic table, mechanistic approach to predicting inorganic reaction products for substitution reactions, reaction rates, spectroscopy, and entropy role change in establishing position of equilibrium for vaporization of water and synthesis of ammonia were topics of lectures presented at the Seventh Biennial Conference on Chemical…

Described are experiences related to the effective use of instructional aids (demonstrations, tapes, films, slides, and television) in teaching chemistry to college students. (HM)

An open format in which students keep log books to help them become more active in the learning process is discussed. Included are creative thought and language, visualization, and using writing to learn how to learn. Examples of student writing are provided. (CW)

Argues that the traditional lecture format is a poor mode for learning. Outlines a simple but effective approach for eliciting student participation in an intermediate-size lecture course (50-100). (CCM)

This article explores the synergy that can be created when concept-mapping techniques are used in collaboration with the construction of PowerPoint presentations to increase the richness of the learning experience. Some weaknesses of the typical PowerPoint format are highlighted with a description of how they can be overcome through a more…

Biology students in their first year at university have difficulty understanding the abstract concepts of photosynthesis. The traditional didactic lecture followed by practical exercises that show various macroscopic aspects of photosynthesis often do not help the students visualise or understand the submicroscopic (molecular-level) reactions that…

Classes of 100 students or more are not uncommon in higher education. With such large enrollments, it can be difficult for instructors to integrate active learning components to the traditional lecture format typically adopted in such large classes. To help address this problem, Johnny El-Rady discusses his use of an electronic classroom voting…

The purpose of this study was to determine transfer of learning from an introductory to an advanced course in biology. All lecture sections in the advanced course at New York City Technical College were used for random sampling in the study. These lecture sections consisted of a mixture of students who were exposed to techniques of transfer of…

Extensive and detailed overhead projections, a complete set of reduced overhead miniatures in booklet form for each student, and tape recordings are used in a lecture setting to capitalize on the learning preferences of both visual and auditory learners. The use of the strategy in introductory chemistry is described. (JN)