Learning and

teaching

By
Nithisha N P
Department of English
Seminar
• Seminar as a group
discussion is similar in
many ways to symposium.
It is usually used with
students in the colleges and
universities. It can also be
used for higher level
students in schools.
Purpose
• The purpose of seminar is to
provide opportunity to
students actively participate in
finding answers to questions
or solution to problem using
scientific approach of doing
analysis and synthesis of facts
observed.
Procedure of seminar method

• Planning
• Presentation
• Evaluation
The technique used for seminar
• In this method, the class as a whole or in several groups or individual
students selects problems and systematically applies the steps of
problem solving. In the process, students do lots of literature search and
collect facts from primary source when necessary and feasible. The facts
are compiled, analyzed and critically evaluated and summarized under
the close supervision and guidance of teacher. The periodic reports and
discussion are held at various phases of problem solving to share the
experience and do critical evaluation under the control and direction of
the chairman. The chairman usually is the student. The role of the
chairman is the same as that of a chairman of symposium. But the
teacher needs to lead and control the discussion. She should encourage
all students to participate in discussion. The effectiveness of seminar
would depend upon selection and preparation of the topic. The teacher
needs to help the students to select, plan, and organize, prepare, and
collect data analysis and report to the group as students.
 It gives training in self
learning.

It promotes independent
Advantages thinking.

It promotes team spirit and

co-operative attitude.
Disadvantages
• The main disadvantage like in
symposium, it consumes
considerable time on the part
of students and teacher in
planning, organizing,
preparing, etc; for
investigations, library search,
analysis, and presentation
etc; and thus can be used for
selected problem areas.
Brainstorming
• In context to teaching,
brainstorming is a strategy or tool
of teaching used by the teacher in
which maximum or all the
students participate by
responding or presenting views on
the topic. This technique
encourages new ideas among
students which would never have
happened under normal
It is a process to designed to obtain the
maximum number of ideas relating to
specific area of interest.

It is a technique where a group of pupil put

Social inhabitations and rules aside with the aim
of generating new ideas and solutions.

It is a technique that maximizes the

ability to generate new ideas.

It can be either traditional or advanced.

 Traditional brainstorming

Types
Advanced brainstorming
 In the field of education brainstorming is a large or small
group activities that encourage the student to focus on a
topic and contribute to the free flow of ideas in this process.

Teacher begins the session by posing a quest, problem or by

introducing a topic.

Brainstorming in The student then expresses possible answers, relevant

words and ideas.
education
The contribution is accepted without criticism or
judgement and is then summarized on a white board by the
teacher.

These ideas are examined usually in an open class

discussion format.
Purpose of
Brainstorming
• To focus student attention on a particular
topic.
• To generate particular ideas.
• To teach acceptance and respect for
individual differences.
• To encourage the learner to take a risk in
sharing their ideas and opinions.
• To demonstrate to the student that their
knowledge and abilities are valued and
accepted.
• To provide an opportunity for students to
share ideas and expand their knowledge
by building on each other’s.
 It stimulated and provides varied instructional
approach.

Highly motivating.

Increase task focus.

Advantages
Promotes spontaneity and creativity.

Efficient and procedure.

Encourage creativity.
 Some dump ideas may also be
accepted for evaluation.

Disadvantages Overlapping of ideas is possible.

Some emotional and environmental

mental blocks are possible. Eg. Unease
with chaos, fear of criticism, and
perpetuation of incorrect assumptions.
 Conclusion
• Seminar is a method of teaching mostly used for
Higher education. It is an instructional technique
which involves paper reading on a theme. It
includes the group discussion to clarify the
complex aspect of theme. The student’s learns the
ability of keen observation of experience and
feelings of tolerance to the opposite ideas of
others.
• Brainstorming can encourage learner’s to think
more freely and innovatively than if they were
doing a more restricted and routine classroom
situation. It allows learner’s to remember what
they know, and to teach each other. It is a dynamic
and stimulating way to lead learners into a topic.