Preface ........................................................ xi
1 Introduction ................................................. 1
1.1 Conclusion .............................................. 1
1.2 A lecture ............................................... 4
1.3 The ingredients of a lecture ............................ 5
1.4 Book motivation ......................................... 6
1.5 From a shy observer to an unorthodox lecturer -
the story of the author ................................. 7
2 The lecturing mindset ....................................... 15
2.1 Motivating yourself .................................... 16
2.2 Failing your way towards success ....................... 17
2.3 Confronting your fears ................................. 18
2.4 Re-channeling emotions ................................. 19
2.5 Chapter summary ........................................ 21
2.6 Chapter checklist ...................................... 22
3 Old school basics ........................................... 23
3.1 The internet generation audience ....................... 23
3.2 Don't believe everything they tell you! ................ 24
3.3 Think before preparing ................................. 26
3.4 Prepare and rehearse ................................... 26
3.5 Chapter summary ........................................ 28
3.6 Chapter checklist ...................................... 28
4 General lecturing principles ................................ 29
4.1 Lecture effectiveness .................................. 29
4.2 The narrow channel model ............................... 30
4.3 Be unique .............................................. 32
4.4 Be honest .............................................. 34
4.5 Be aware of your audience .............................. 35
4.6 Connect with the audience .............................. 36
4.7 Simplify and focus ..................................... 38
4.8 Remove any and all biases .............................. 40
4.9 Care ................................................... 41
4.10 Understand before you lecture .......................... 42
4.11 Chapter summary ........................................ 43
4.12 Chapter checklist ...................................... 44
5 At the beginning of the lecture ............................. 46
5.1 The initial lack of attention .......................... 46
5.2 Start running from the gate ............................ 48
5.3 The 5 minute rale ...................................... 49
5.4 Over performing is better than under performing,
at least initially ..................................... 51
5.5 The review ............................................. 52
5.6 Chapter summary ........................................ 53
5.7 Chapter checklist ...................................... 53
6 Things you should be aware of during the lecture ............ 55
6.1 Noise levels ........................................... 55
6.2 Verbal feedback ........................................ 57
6.3 Visual feedback ........................................ 58
6.4 Attention span of the typical audience ................. 59
6.5 Chapter summary ........................................ 61
6.6 Chapter checklist ...................................... 61
7 Effective tools/tricks to energize your lecture ............. 63
7.1 Be sincere, confront your mistakes directly ............ 63
7.2 Maintain your command .................................. 66
7.3 Democratic lectures .................................... 67
7.4 Be on the offensive .................................... 71
7.5 Breaks, jokes, and other fun distractions .............. 74
7.6 Personalization ........................................ 77
7.7 Chapter summary ........................................ 78
7.8 Chapter checklist ...................................... 79
8 Common mistakes that turn good lectures into
disasters ................................................... 80
8.1 Overconfidence disguised as arrogance .................. 80
8.2 Packing too much into the lecture ...................... 81
8.3 Misconnection with the audience ........................ 83
8.4 Misusing overhead slides and PowerPoint presentations .. 85
8.5 Chapter summary ........................................ 90
8.6 Chapter checklist ...................................... 91
9 At the end of the lecture ................................... 92
9.1 Do not rash ............................................ 92
9.2 Leave enough time for questions ........................ 94
9.3 Retain control until your last breath .................. 94
9.4 Remember, the last coat of paint is the one that
lasts .................................................. 96
9.5 Chapter summary ........................................ 98
9.6 Chapter checklist ...................................... 98
10 The art of academic lecturing .............................. 100
10.1 The first lecture ..................................... 100
10.2 Tests and exams - to kill or not to kill .............. 101
10.3 Teaching assistants - the good, the bad, and the ...... 103
10.4 Multi-section lecturing issues ........................ 104
10.5 Always remember the primary goal ...................... 105
10.6 Post-lecture interactions ............................. 107
10.7 Course load assessment ................................ 108
10.8 Academic presentations ................................ 109
10.9 Chapter summary ....................................... 111
10.10 Chapter checklist .................................... 111
11 Making lectures come to life through labs .................. 113
11.1 The point of labs and practical experience ............ 113
11.2 The relation between lectures and labs ................ 115
11.3 What a lab should not be .............................. 116
11.4 The Vranesic lab-lecture model ........................ 117
11.5 Large scale labs ...................................... 118
11.6 Chapter summary ....................................... 119
11.7 Chapter checklist ..................................... 120
12 Lecturing in non-academic contexts ......................... 121
12.1 The business presentation ............................. 121
12.2 The perfect answer .................................... 123
12.3 The acronym shield .................................... 124
12.4 Fifteen minutes ....................................... 126
12.5 Professional lecturing ................................ 127
12.6 Political speeches versus academic lectures versus
business presentations ................................ 128
12.7 Chapter summary ....................................... 129
12.8 Chapter checklist ..................................... 129
13 The mechanics of professional presentations ................ 131
13.1 The classic model ..................................... 131
13.2 The shock model ....................................... 137
13.3 A hybrid approach ..................................... 141
13.4 Chapter summary ....................................... 145
13.5 Chapter checklist ..................................... 146
14 Final words ................................................ 148
14.1 Be persistent ......................................... 148
14.2 Don't force things that are not meant to be ........... 150
14.3 More art than science ................................. 151
14.4 Most important of all ................................. 153
About the Author .............................................. 155
Index ......................................................... 157
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