Extra Credit Post #4

Although the push towards active teaching techniques seems to be propagating, there remains a continuous debate regarding traditional lecture and the new system of teaching.  Jim Corder, author of “Traditional Lecture Still Have a Place in the Classroom” argues several interesting points in terms of a traditional style of teaching.  Reminiscing about a psychology class, Corder claims how “at their best, they dramatize the creation of knowledge” (Corder, 1991).  The lecture in a sense demonstrates the student’s intent to learn.  Listening to simple anecdotes of the professor intrigues the student allowing them to concentrate and wonder what may lie ahead in the particular class.  Demonstrating an effective method in engaging students within the traditional lecture, Corder goes on even further to argue “lectures can show the consequences of knowledge—show what comes of knowledge, how it can be used in ways not previously seen or guessed”  (Corder, 1991).  Essentially Corder’s theory emphasizes the importance of the individual professor.  Whether or not he or she has the ability to produce a successful learning environment depends on the style of each teacher.  This said, one may question whether or not Ratemyprofessor.com really reflects the ability to retain knowledge in a professor’s course.  Even if the professor’s teaching strategies demonstrates that of an active learning environment, if students do not feel motivated to learn, students will not succeed.