Improving lecture quality through training in public speaking
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Robert Mowbray [2] ; Laura B. Perry [1]
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[1] Murdoch University
Murdoch University
Australia
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[2] Unitar International University (Sidma College), Malaysia
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- Localización: Innovations in education and teaching international, ISSN 1470-3297, Vol. 52, Nº 2, 2015, págs. 207-217
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Lecturing is a common instructional format but poor lecturing skills can detract from students’ learning experiences and outcomes. As lecturing is essentially a form of public communication, training in public speaking may improve lecture quality. Twelve university lecturers in Malaysia participated in a six-week public speaking skills training programme. A quasi-experimental, mixed-methods design was employed to measure participating lecturers’ satisfaction with the programme, changes to their lecturing practices, and changes in student results. All lecturers expressed satisfaction with the programme and felt that they had developed a new set of lecturing skills, and improved ability to impart knowledge to their students. The programme was also associated with a substantial improvement in student results. By contrast, lecturers from the comparison group showed a decline in student results. The results suggest that a short course in public speaking skills can be a cost-effective way to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
