A teacher has manifold roles and the most crucial role is to make learning easy and effective. An effective learning depends on usage of appropriate teaching methodology. For a prolonged period of time teachers relied on traditional methods of teaching like lecture for imparting information. In lecture teacher is fully responsible for preparing and delivering content and learner listens and take notes. Although lecture is beneficial for delivering learning content to a large group in short time but it is believed to increase the passivity among learners. In recent times the need of active participation of learners in teaching learning process for the development of higher order thinking was acknowledged and hence, seminar method of teaching was introduced.
What is seminar?
Seminar is a method of teaching and learning where under the guidance of a teacher, students involve into a group discussion on the allotted topic. The basic objective of this method is to facilitate learning through discussion. Seminar method transfer the focus from teacher to learner and aids in promoting active participation of learner in the learning process.
In seminar a selected topic is presented which is then analyzed and discussed by learners through group discussion with a purpose to arrive at a final conclusion.
Objectives of seminar method
To build and strengthen higher cognitive abilities
During discussion the learners are required to focus on the issue at hand and talk to come to a common solution. This whole process of discussion involves utilisation of varied cognitive skills like judgement, analysis and synthesis, etc. hence, seminar method facilitate the growth of higher cognitive skills.
To promotes independent learning
In lecture based teaching the passivity increases and learner depends for everything on teacher. The role of a teacher in seminar is to guide and supervise while learner has to perform crucial roles like planning, discussing and coming to a common conclusion. This shift of learning from teacher to learner facilitates the ability of a learner to learn independently.
To facilitate affective skills of a learner
In seminar method while discussion a learner learns to accept and contradict others views assertively without being rude. The group discussion strengthens the ability of a learner to tolerate views that are opposite to one’s views. This whole process at last helps a learner to improve emotional expression and affective ability of learners.
To develop communication skills
Seminar method develops the communication skills of the learner. The discussion enhances the fluency and confidence of a learner. In seminar the learner learns the skills to put questions, to accept and criticize views of others in an acceptable manner, and to answer in a logical way.
To promote cooperation
In seminar learners focus on same issue in a unified way and collaborate with team members to attain a common conclusion. This helps in developing a sense of cooperation among the learners.
Types of Seminar
Mini seminar
As the name suggests mini seminar is a small scale seminar which is generally organized at classroom level. The aim of mini seminar is to furnish students skills in conducting seminar at large level. In this a topic is allotted to student by a teacher and students have to plan and organize a seminar for the same. The student present allotted topic in front of a small group and then discussion regarding the topic was carried out.
Major seminar
This type of seminar is organized at institutional level or at departmental level for a large group. The main purpose of this type of seminar is to deliver continue nursing education and to promote organizational skills among the faculty and students. In this current and relevant topic related to nursing field is selected as theme for the seminar.
National seminar
This type of seminars are conducted at national level and are generally conducted by the collaborative efforts of government or non-governmental agencies and institutes. The target group for the national seminar is large and speakers and participants both are invited from different states.
International seminar
This type of seminar is conducted at international level by an institute in collaboration with an international agency or an organization. The reach of this seminar is very wide with participation of participants and speakers from different countries.
Committee members of seminar
President
The president of the seminar is the main head of the institute who is responsible for making policies of the institute. All the administrative functions are under president’s control. The main role of the president is to prepare overall plan of the seminar and its functionaries. The president selects the theme and set objectives of the seminar. Along with the planning of the seminar, the president advises the organizing committee members throughout the seminar process.
Organizing Secretary
Organizing secretary is the one who hold expertise in the subject proposed as theme of seminar and looks after the administration of the institute hosting the seminar. As an expert in the field the main role of the organizing secretary is to aid the convener in making decisions regarding functionaries of seminar session, delegating work for seminar, deciding time and venue for seminar and disseminating invitation for seminar and paper presentation.
Chairperson
A chairperson is the expert of the topic undertaken for seminar for example in a seminar regarding water birth the chairperson will be from the obstetrics and gynecological nursing field with a vast experience. The role of the chairperson is to control the functionary of session assigned to him. The chairperson introduces the presenters before session, summarizes the presentation of speaker, instructs regarding time limit and other rules of the session, open the session for discussion and presents token of gratitude at the end of the session.
Speaker
The speaker is the expert, main content maker and presenter of the topic. The speaker is allotted with a topic on which he prepares content by including updated information and his knowledge. The main role of the speaker is to clarify the topic to the audience and to answer their queries related to the topic.
Participants
They are the main pillar of seminar as without them the seminar cannot achieve its goal of dissipating knowledge. Participants motivate the organizing members to plan and execute seminar with perfection. They ask questions to speaker for gaining more clarity on the topic.
Merits of Seminar
Helps in developing communication skills
Seminar provides appropriate environment to practice and furnish techniques of professional communication. The seminar helps in developing the presentation skills, building confidence in being open to others and improves the ability to discuss. It also develops listening skills among the participants.
Provides opportunity to learn
Seminar method breaks the traditional way of gaining knowledge through attending classes and reading books. It brings multiple experts at one place, which provides immense opportunity for learners to gain detailed knowledge regarding the topic in a short frame of time.
Aids in furnishing teaching skills
It gives students an experience of practicing teaching skills by providing opportunity to discuss a topic in front of other students. Students gains confidence in presenting a topic and improve their verbal skills by doing this and they gain courage to encounter the questions of others and clarify the doubts of the participants.
Facilitates interpersonal relationship
The seminar method helps in developing interpersonal bonds as it provide ideal opportunity to meet people sharing common interests. The meeting helps in exchanging ideas, extending professional relationships, discussing problems and finding solutions to common issues.
Rekindles the motivation
The scheduled routine for a prolonged time led to boredom and seminars are a great way to break the monotony. Learners learn about the recent trends and make new professional relationships which help in rejuvenating the mind.
Demerits of Seminar
Financial constraints
Organizing a seminar is a very cost consuming process. Each step requires a lot of money. Improper financial planning can affect the quality of content delivered during seminar hence, organisers spend a great deal of time in balancing that. The high expense lead to high enrolment fees which prohibits many potential participants from attending it.
Deviation from routine
In seminar vast information can be shared in 2-3 days but it demands time commitment from participant side. The break from work for few days desynchronises the work routine and affects the workload.
Needs preparation before participation
Success of seminar depends on the prior research and preparation by the learners. Before attending a seminar a learner has to go through the topic and search information regarding it. An ill prepared learner contributes very less in the discussion and learning process which fails the motto of seminar.
Depends on speakers
The content shared through seminar is fully a responsibility of speaker and chairperson. Incorrect selection of them compromises the quality of learning as their lack of expertise can hinder sharing of authentic information.
Conclusion
In recent times teaching learning process is not limited to transferring of knowledge from teacher to student in a classroom but, has expanded to the active involvement of students in the learning process. Seminar is one such method of teaching that focuses on the independent learning of students. In seminar a discussion is carried out in a group to attain common goal. From a group discussion in a classroom by a student to the discussion by experts from different countries on a globally common theme, seminar can be organised at various levels. This method has found to be beneficial for developing communication skills, cooperation and higher order learning among the students.
