Students and Students iv. Lectures and Workshops In focus groups, students enthusiastically endorsed the workshops. In contrast to lectures, anxiety is reduced, leaders are accessible, and peers supportive. They no longer feel isolated in the learning enterprise. Their incomplete knowledge is no longer felt as a liability, but permits them to join in group activities, helping and being helped.
Workshops help students make connections with concepts presented in lecture.
They supply more background information, break subject material down into smaller, more understandable chunks, and use examples to further illustrate their point. The problem solving approach used in the workshops increases the confidence of the students. Each student is asked to explain problems and since no two students explain the same problem in the same manner, learning is enhanced. There are many theories and models of learning. One dichotomy contrasts the handing down of knowledge with growth from within.