Is going to lecture a huge waste of time?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relevance and effectiveness of attending lectures in higher education, particularly in the context of medical students. Participants explore the necessity of lectures in light of available resources such as textbooks and online materials, questioning whether lectures are becoming obsolete.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that lectures are becoming unnecessary due to the availability of recorded lectures and online resources, suggesting that most material can be self-studied.
  • Others express a preference for in-person lectures, valuing the ability to ask questions and engage directly with the professor, which they feel enhances understanding.
  • A participant notes that lectures can help maintain focus and discipline in studying, as they provide a structured environment for learning.
  • Some individuals report that they find lectures boring or ineffective, preferring to learn independently through reading and problem-solving.
  • There are mixed feelings about the quality of lectures, with some recalling inspiring experiences while others describe lectures as uninspiring or unhelpful.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of reading material beforehand to ask meaningful questions during lectures, suggesting that preparation can enhance the lecture experience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus; instead, multiple competing views remain regarding the value of lectures versus self-study. Some find lectures beneficial for interaction and focus, while others see them as redundant.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying personal experiences with lectures, differing levels of self-discipline among students, and the impact of teaching styles on learning outcomes. The discussion reflects a range of perspectives on the effectiveness of lectures in the learning process.

  • #181
chill_factor said:
to those that say you learn better from textbooks than from lectureres:

good luck with books like Jackson, Goldstein, McQuarrie, Marder and Mukamel. You know, a professor is a recognized expert in the field; even the worst PhD is magnitudes superior to a typical BS student - they already did the mental weightlifting, so to speak, and it'll be ludicrous to say that a boxer who weightlifted for 10 years is weaker than a novice boxer trainee. when both boxers are just jumping rope (intro classes) you probably can't see the difference. When the boxers are in the ring, the difference is clear.

I'll just say this: For those books its not possible to solve many of the problems with knowledge only given in the book. The professor will usually either assign self written problems, or pick and choose the problems that are actually solvable in reasonable amounts of time. Also the exam often has nothing to do with the homework, unlike in lower division classes.

I am in lower division classes. It's my 3rd week of college
 
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  • #182
Kuhan said:
I am in lower division classes. It's my 3rd week of college

then don't make judgments so fast.

i will go to lecture despite not understanding the professor at all because the professors actually know if you go or not, and when it comes down to crunch time on the tests, and you're 1 point away from passing or failing, guess who the professor sympathizes with:

the guy that comes to class every day without fail, tries, and the material is just a bit too hard
the guy that skips class and does badly
 
  • #183
chill_factor said:
then don't make judgments so fast.

i will go to lecture despite not understanding the professor at all because the professors actually know if you go or not, and when it comes down to crunch time on the tests, and you're 1 point away from passing or failing, guess who the professor sympathizes with:

the guy that comes to class every day without fail, tries, and the material is just a bit too hard
the guy that skips class and does badly

lol I used to sit in the front (the most front) of class for the first 2 weeks then suddenly I didn't go the third week.
 
  • #184
Vanadium 50 said:
Yes, you've said that.



Your own money? I find that people who are paying for college themselves tend not to skip lectures.

I'm on a full scholarship
 

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