SEMINAR METHOD

INTRODUCTION: 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. Meaning and Definition of Seminar MethodA 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 person 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.

Objectives of Seminar techniqueThis technique is employed to realize the higher objectives of cognitive and affective domains which have been enumerated as follows:Cognitive objectives:

To develop the higher cognitive abilities: analysis, synthesis and evaluation as compared to the situations involving human interaction.

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.

To develop the ability of keen observation experiences, feelings and to present them effectively.

To develop the ability to seek clarification and defend the ideas of others effectively.

Affective objectives: To develop the feeling of tolerance the opposite ideas of others.

To develop the feelings of cooperation with other colleagues and respect of the ideas and feelings of others.

To develop the emotional stability among the participants of the seminar. To acquire the good manners of putting questions and answering the

questions of others effectively.

Roles of seminar technique

1. Role of organiser or instructor : 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. Role of president: 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. Role of speakers: 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. Role of participants: 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 basis 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. Role of observers: 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.

PROCEDURE OF SEMINAR:The seminar method involves the following steps:

1. Selection of the theme for the seminar.2. Preparation of the detailed programme.3. Listing out of books of resource and other reference material.4. Conduct seminar 5. Final reporting.

TYPES OF SEMINARSeminars are organised at different levels. On the basis of levels of organisation the seminar are of four types:

1. 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. 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. 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. 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 teacher- education and examination reforms.

ADVANTAGE of SEMINAR:

Development of higher cognitive abilities like analytical and critical thinking

Development of effect attributes like tolerance for other’s views, cooperation with others, emotional stability and respect for other’s feelings

Development f better learning habits Work is democratically divided Make interaction learner centred Develop critical out look to any idea thereby leading the learner to

self-initiated learning which will be more permanent in nature.

LIMITATION OF SEMINAR TECHNIQUE Cannot be organised on all content of a subject matter This technique cannot be used for all levels of education When 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

Seminar tends toward debate leading to conflict.

Summary: 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.

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

Conclusion: 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 instruction at college and university level. We can use seminar as a instructional technique to develop students problem solving approach, cognitive and affective abilities.