SOME FACTORS IN LECTURING

Abstract

ABSTRACT Four hundred and thirty‐one students in their second year at the University of Bradford rated 50 possible characteristics of the ideal lecturer. Responses were inter‐correlated and factor analysed by the varimax procedure. Twelve factors isolated in this way were interpreted as questions which students ask themselves in evaluating lecturers. Students in all fields of study were agreed that the ideal lecturer is an authority in his subject and can expound it clearly; that he thoroughly prepares his lectures, gives them an obvious framework and is ready to respond to questions. In other respects there were differences in emphasis according to field of study: students of applied science and engineering appeared to look towards lecturers for information, social scientists, for stimulation. The differences in emphasis suggest that teaching and lecturing abilities may be more specific than is commonly supposed. This must be recognised in any training programmes devised for new lecturers.