PME 096 Lecture Analysis 1

Due: Thursday November 10 in Moodle (by class time)

The purpose of this assignment is to help you apply what you are learning about university lectures to a real
LCC lecture. The lecture you will watch is from the course History of World Civilizations (a class that most
freshmen take). You can choose from 2 different professors to watch – either Dr. Scott Neumann or Kevin
Doremus. The links to the lecture parts will be on Moodle.

Your lecture analysis will take the form of a short paper in which you will answer questions about different
aspects of the lecture after you watch it. Your answers should be in full sentences and paragraphs; the entire
paper should be 450-600 words. You should organize the paper with headings, according to the different
sections listed below. Note: These questions are not asking you to know about the content/information in the
lecture!

Make sure you mention at the beginning which professor’s lecture you watched.

Part 1: Lecture Language

Does the professor use words and phrases to help students understand and follow the organization of the
lecture? Use the following questions to help you.

o Does the professor use a topic signal? If so, what does he say?
o What is the topic of the lecture?
o Does the professor use any plan signals? If so, what does he say?
o If he states a plan, what are the points of the lecture plan?
o Does he use any transition signals? If so, what are they?
o Does he use any cause or effect signals? If so, give an example (include the whole sentence
where you heard the signal).
o Does he say anything to show that the lecture is almost finished (conclusion signal)? If so, what
does he say?

Part 2: Visuals
Notice how the professor uses visuals (e.g., slides, pictures). Describe the professor’s use of visuals. The
following questions can help you:

o What types of visuals does he use?

o What do you think is the purpose of the different visuals?
o In what way(s) do you think the visuals help the students to understand the lecture or learn the
information?
o If there is information on slides, do you think you would need to write more than what is on
the slides in your notes? Why or why not?

Part 3: Gestures and Non-Verbal Communication

Notice the professor’s use of gestures.
 o Does he use gestures (movements of hands and arms, e.g.)? If so, what do you think is the
purpose of the gestures?
o Can the gestures be helpful for students’ understanding of the lecture? Why or why not? Give
specific examples.

Part 4: Classroom Communication

o Does the professor ever give the students in the class chances to talk?
o If so, how does he do this? Does he ask questions of the whole group? Specify one person to answer a
question? Allow students to ask questions? Ask students to discuss something in smaller groups?

Part 5: Response

o What is your opinion of this lecture?

o Is it easy or difficult to understand? What makes it easy or difficult?
o Would you like to be in this professor’s class? Why or why not?

Please head your paper like this:

First Name Last Name

PME 096
Lecture Analysis 1
Date

Grading:
All questions are answered; evidence of careful observation of the lecture 15
Paper is organized in five sections according to instructions 5
Grammar, mechanics, and spelling do not hinder reader’s understanding 5
25