Effective and efficient use of classroom time

Abstract

Steiner, in a paper entitled "Encouraging Active Student Participation in the Learning Process" (1), stated that it is important "to develop ways to increase active student thinking in the lecture hall." Not only do I agree with this, but also I think that his ideas about class discussions and lecture demonstrations, as well as his innovative suggestion for small group problem sessions, can be expanded and extrapolated into a teaching philosophy which is concerned with both the effective and efficient use of each 50-minute time period allotted for "lecture." This paper will present a basis for such a philosophy and offer some practical suggestions for the freshman chemistry instructor with, optimally, class section of not more than 25 people.At present, this teaching philosophy, which has been continually evolving, is based on the following three premises 1) The attention span for the average freshman student, or anyone for that matter, is considerably less than 50 minutes. 2) Time is precious.3) The instructor's primary role is not that of a disseminator of information.