Lecturers’ Guidelines

All lecturers should be aware that lecturing is our core business. Failing to understand this will lead the lecturer towards selling unproductive and self-defensive products to students who are our customers  which would push them away from META.  Therefore, the following guidelines should be implemented  at all time while lecturing.

LECTURER ETIQUETTE

•It's not about you; it's about them. So teach them what they need to know not what you want them to know.

• 90% of the students in a class are all looking for something different out of the lecture. Find and deliver them.  Don’t be an express train to deliver and finish everything in time.

• At the first lecture, the students should be told what is your plan and when it is due. Don’t teach them others than META’s standard teaching syallbus. You are tarnishing META’s mission and objectives.

• Never over-estimate the ability of students. Assuming prior knowledge can be fatal so make sure they know the basics of what you are talking about.

•Find a style of lecturing that suits your personality. Don’t be an arrogant lecturer because you are putting yourself as a clown in the students’ eyes.

•It isn't a popularity contest so don't pander to the class. Understand META’s objective and deliver it handsomely. Don’t try to promote yourself as the students and you may lose the way.

•Confidence and a good sales pitch go a long way in the classroom. If students get the impression you don’t really know what you are talking about you will lose them. Please bear this in your mind at all time.

•Don't try to impress the students with your knowledge. You are jeopardizing META and lecturers’ capabilities.

•Set expectations from the beginning.

•Don't be intimidated. If you don't know the answer to a question , just be honest and say you'll check it out either during the break or after the lecture and get back to them. Never try and bluff them. They might pretend otherwise but they aren't stupid and will see through it.

•Make it clear to students that you are REALLY interested and ENTHUSIATIC about each topic in the module.

•Work on the principle that students will only be enthusiastic about a topic if the lecturer is too.

•Never be aloof and unhelpful, never put people down nor do anything to discourage questions (even if you think they are stupid Qs).

•Be approachable and available as much as possible.

•Treat students as adults and with respect.

•Use plenty of recent examples from your own practical experience - preferably amusing tales.

• Have a schedule of lectures and classes and stick to it as much as possible. Otherwise, the students would be sleeping and you lose.

• Keep it simple and structured.

• At the first lecture, the students should be told what is your plan and when itis due. Don’t teach them others than META’s standard teaching syallbus.

• Technology is a great asset but use it when appropriate. It isn't a replacementor substitute for being a good lecturer.

• Limit the use of PowerPoint.

• Continue to challenge students. If you're successful in motivating them themajority will respond.

• Let them Debate: Students learn better while debating as opposed tolistening. Before lecturing students on what a firm should do in a particular.

• Teaching is the best form of learning if a lecturer adopts the attitude that“students have a lot to teach to me and each other”.

•Students need to feel comfortable asking questions and they are often highly valuable.

• 2-3 hours is a long period for a lecture - it is difficult for anyone to concentrate for that long. Try to break it up with several "breakout periods".

•Take a break for a minute or two every 15 - 20 minutes. Crack a joke if you can think of one, or introduce an aside of some sort. Anything to relieve the stress of concentrating on new and possibly complicated material.

• Establish and practise lecturer – student interaction in the class often. Failing to understand their needs means you are losing and it is a disaster for META.

•Establish two-way communication  in the class at all time for better understanding among students. Your assuming is meaningless for META’s growth as failing to understanding would make the students keeping distance from META.

• Try to practise the problem-solving activities with the students to develop their capabilities. Show them the way not to laugh and put a barrier in front of them.

•  During class, think about and watch your audience-your students. Focus on your students as if you were talking to a small group.

• Vary your delivery to keep students' attention.

• Convey your own enthusiasm for the material.

• Be conversational.

• Use concrete, simple, colorful language. Don’t use a highly language to show off yourself. The students would ignore you silently as they do not understand what are you sayin.  It’s bad track for META.

• Don't talk into your notes and maintain eye contact with the class.