Brunel University London

“Face-to-face lectures are no longer

appropriate in the digital age”

The Case Against

Ray Kirby

Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

The Case Against 1

Brunel University London

The Pedagogic Case

Lectures should be based on interaction and should:

• Engage

• Inspire

• Enable discussions

• Develop confidence

Lectures can

• React to questions in real time

• Change scope and aims depending on feedback

• Encourage active learning

• Respond quickly to SSLC and other issues raised by students

17 April 2015

The Pedagogic Case 2

Brunel University London

The Pedagogic Case

• Digital lectures:

• Formal recordings encourage:

• Dull, regulated, formal and boring delivery

• Passive consumption by students

• Remove the ability to interact

• This is not new!

• We have had the wonders of the moving image for many years.

• OU lectures on TV are a classic: dry, dull delivery

17 April 2015

The Pedagogic Case 3

Brunel University London

The Pragmatic Case

Cultural

• Prospective Students Expect to Attend Lectures

• This is what we do at “University”, it is seen as a part of

“being a student”, a shared experience

• Parents expect their children to attend lectures, this is part

of what they think they are paying for.

• This is how students are used to “learning.”

Practical

• Our Key Information Stats will look bad and harm

recruitment

• Students will not use digital forms, so attrition rates will go

up.

17 April 2015

The Pragmatic Case 4