The lecture remains the predominant method of delivering course content in higher education. This is particularly true in the sciences where experts need to convey complex concepts. Lectures are also necessary components of student-centered courses. These DVDs answer the question: what lecturing strategies best facilitate learning?

These two DVDs identify and demonstrate the strategies -- as practised by 24 award-winning teachers at Stanford University in their classrooms -- that both engage students during lectures, and that have been identified by research as effective in promoting student learning. A narrator provides the theoretical background to the teaching strategies, and explains how they work. Video clips provide examples of actual classroom instruction by outstanding teachers at Stanford University, often supplemented by the teachers' own insights and explanations.

The video sequences illustrate key principles and techniques that viewers can adapt to their own contexts and styles. Although all the clips present the teaching of mathematics, the natural and life sciences, and engineering, the content is readily understandable by instructors from other disciplines and presents no barrier to applying the methods and techniques to other fields.

The DVDs and documentation provide the theoretical background to the strategies, explain how they work, and discuss the relationships among them.

The complete documentation is available free on the Stylus Web site. The documentation offers suggestions on using the DVDs for self-study by faculty, for training of TAs, with informal groups, for faculty development and consultation, and for conducting workshops for faculty and students.

* This material was first published as video tapes under the titles of Effective Lecturing I & II and was distributed by Anker Press.