cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc cccccccccccccc ccSEMINAR METHOD

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|  Teaching is a continuum from conditioning to

indoctrination. It is organised from memory level to reflective level. One
teaching is confined up to memory level even at college and university level.
Instructional situations should be organised in such a way so that teaching mat
be done at reflective level also. As the development of higher cognitive and
affective abilities is essential at the higher stage of education. Several
instructional techniques have been evolved giving emphasis to such higher level
of learning. One such technique for higher teaching is seminar method. A
seminar is an advanced group technique which is used in higher education.


 
  
 
A seminar as an instructional technique involves generating a situation for a
group to have guided interaction among themselves on a theme which is
generally presented to the group by one or more members. The perso n who
presents the theme should have studied the theme thoroughly before hand. This
would mean selection of relevant material and its organisation. The collected
material is put in the form of paper which is circulated among the participants in
advance or before the paper reading. It provides the structure of the theme, to
facilitate its communication.

Seminar is an instructional technique of higher learning which involves paper

reading on a theme and followed by the group discussion to clarify the complex
aspects of the theme.

   
  
This technique is employed to realize the higher objectives of cognitive and
affective domains which have been enumerated as follows:
    
îc To develop the higher cognitive abilities: analysis, synthesis and
evaluation as compared to the situations involving human interaction.
îc To develop the ability of responding in this manner would involve higher
cognitive actions: valuing, organising and characterization of quick
comprehension of the situation, examination, of the knowledge he
possesses and construction of his reaction to the situation.
îc To develop the ability of keen observation experiences, feelings and to
present them effectively.
îc To develop the ability to seek clarification and def end the ideas of others
effectively.
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îc To develop the feeling of tolerance the opposite ideas of others.
 îc To develop the feelings of cooperation with other colleagues and respect
of the ideas and feelings of others.
îc To develop the emotional stability among the participants of the seminar.
îc To acquire the good manners of putting questions and answering the
questions of others effectively.

  
  

1.c  

  : It is the responsibility of an organizer to
plan and prepare the whole programme of the seminar.
He decides the topic or theme of the seminar and assigns the different
aspects of theme to different persons who have to play the role of
speakers.
The date, time and place are decided by him. he prepares total schedule of
the seminar.
2.c       the participants propose the name of president. In
suggesting name the name of chairman, it should be taken in
consideration that the person must be well acquainted with the theme of
seminar. He must know his rights and duties as chairman of a seminar.
He directs the whole programme. He encourages the participants to take
part in discussion. He keeps the discussion on the theme of seminar.
He provides the opportunities to each participant. At the end he has to
summarise the discussion and may present his viewpoints on the theme.
He has to give thanks to the speakers, participants, guests and observers.
3.c    
 the organiser assigns the topics for the speakers. They
prepare the topics thoroughly and Xerox copies of the paper are prepared
and these are distributed among the participants before the
commencement of the seminar, so that participants should also prepare
themselves on the theme. It encourages the discussion to last long. The
speaker¶s should be ready to defend the questions. The speakers should
have the tolerance of anti -ideas or criticism of others.
4.c    

 the participants of the seminar should be well
acquainted with the theme. They should appreciate the performance of
the speakers. They should be able to seek clarification and put questions.
They should place their own ideas regarding the theme on the bas is of
their experiences. They should address the president for seeking
clarification. They should not put question directly to the speakers. There
are 25 to 40 participants in the seminar.
5.c       Some guests and observer are also invited and
allowed to observe the activities of the seminar. Generally, they are not
permitted to participate in the discussion. They should be allowed at the
end to discussion and present their observations by permission of the
chairman.
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The seminar method involves the following steps:
1.c Selection of the theme for the seminar.
2.c Preparation of the detailed programme.
3.c Listing out of books of resource and other reference material.
4.c Conduct seminar
5.c Final reporting.


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Seminars are organised at different levels. On the basis of levels of organisation
the seminar are of four types:
1.c Mini-seminar: A seminar organised to discuss a topic in class is known as
mini seminar. The purpose of the mini seminar is to train the students for
organising the seminar and play different roles.
2.c Main- seminar: such seminars are organised at departmental or
institutional level on a major theme. All the students and staff members
take part in such seminars. These can be organised weekly or monthly in
departments. Generally specific theme are selected for main seminar.
3.c National seminar: A national seminar is organised by an association or
organisation at national level. The experts are invited on the theme of the
seminar. The secretary of the seminar prepares the schedule theme, time
dates days and venue. Generally NCERT organises such seminar on
national level, on the theme Educational Technology, Population
education, Trends in Education etc.
4.c International seminar: Generally, such seminars are organised by
UNESCO and other international organisation. The topic or theme of
seminar is very broad, e.g. innovation in teach er- education and
examination reforms.

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îc Development of higher cognitive abilities like analytical and

critical thinking
îc Development of effect attributes like tolerance for other¶s views,
cooperation with others, emotional stability a nd respect for other¶s
feelings
îc Development f better learning habits
îc ‰ork is democratically divided
îc Make interaction learner centred
îc Develop critical out look to any idea thereby leading the learner to
self-initiated learning which will be more permanent i n nature.
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îc Cannot be organised on all content of a subject matter
îc This technique cannot be used for all levels of education
îc ‰hen seminar is being organised, the person who speak too much
dominate the discussion of the seminar and do not provide opportunities
to others to take part in the discussion. It means discussion confines only
few persons rather than whole group
îc Seminar tends toward debate leading to conflict.


' Today we have discussed about a technique for higher teaching i.e.
Seminar, its definition, various objectives of seminar method, various roles
performed in seminar method, procedure of seminar method and finally the
types and advantages and limitations of seminar method.


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 Conduct a mini-seminar on a theme- educational technology.

 the purpose of higher learning is to develop the cognitive and

affective abilities of an individual. The potentialities can only be developed by
employing higher techniques of teaching and instr uction at college and
university level. ‰e can use seminar as a instructional technique to develop
students problem solving approach, cognitive and affective abilities.