BMJ 2003;326:437 ( 22 February )

Clinical review

ABC of learning and teaching in medicine

Teaching large groups

Peter Cantillon. 

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Lecturing or large group teaching is one of the oldest forms of teaching. Whatever their reputation, lectures are an efficient means of transferring knowledge and concepts to large groups. They can be used to stimulate interest, explain concepts, provide core knowledge, and direct student learning.

However, they should not be regarded as an effective way of teaching skills, changing attitudes, or encouraging higher order thinking. Large group formats tend to encourage passive learning. Students receive information but have little opportunity to process or critically appraise the new knowledge offered.

Table Removed (Available Only in the Full Text)

How can lectures be used to maximise learning and provide opportunities for student interaction? This article will supply some of the answers and should help you to deliver better, more interactive lectures.

	Getting your bearings

It is important to find out as much as possible about the context of the lecturethat is, where it fits into the course of which it is part.

What you need to know before planning a lecture How your lecture fits into the students' course or curriculum The students' knowledge of your subjecttry to get a copy of the lecture and tutorial list for the course How the course (and your lecture) will be assessed The teaching methods that the students are accustomed to

. . . [Full text of this article]

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