Lectures can convey material otherwise unavailable, including original research or recent developments that have not yet made it to publication. Lectures can organize material in a special way. They may provide a faster, simpler method of presenting information to an audience with its own special needs. Lectures are particularly useful for students who read poorly or who are unable to organize print material. Lectures can convey large amounts of factual material.
Lectures can speak to many listeners at the same time.
Lectures permit maximum teacher control. The instructor chooses what material to cover, whether to answer questions, and other courses of action. Lectures present minimum threat to students. They are not required to do anything, which they may prefer. Lectures emphasize learning by listening, an advantage for students who learn well this way.