SEMINAR

 Seminars and Report

Submitted by
                                                                                        Keerthy Raju   
                                                                                        1st year B.Ed (English)
                                                                                         F.M.T.C.Pallimukku,  Kollam.





Seminar
The seminar is the most modern and advanced method of teaching. A seminar is an advanced group technique which is usually used in higher education. It is an instructional technique which involves in generating a situation for a group to have a guided interaction among themselves on a theme. It refers to a structured group discussion what usually follows a formal lecture or lectures often in the form of an essay or a paper presentation on a theme. Seminar is employed to realize the higher objectives of cognitive and affective domains. The higher learning process requires the interactive and integrated methodologies based on the psychological principles. The seminar method applies such technique of human interaction or intervention with the learning and teaching experiences.
       Cognitive objectives
• To develop higher cognitive abilities.
• To develop the ability of responding in this manner would involve higher cognitive actions.
• To develop the ability of keen observation of experience, 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 to the opposite ideas of others.
• To develop the feelings of co-operation with other colleagues and respect of the ideas and feelings of others.
• To develop the emotional ability among the participants of the seminar.
• To acquire the good manners of putting questions and answering the questions of others effectively.
Types of seminar
• Mini seminar
• Main seminar
• National seminar
• International seminar
Mini seminar
 Its coverage and scope are small and simple. A small population is enough to hold this seminar. A discussion held over the topic taught or to be taught with the students is known as Group discussion. Such group discussions held in an organized way within a class room, it is called mini seminar. This mini seminar gives the students training in questioning skills, organizing the information and presentation skills of seminar. A mini seminar is felt necessary because it gives good experience to conduct a major seminar at institutional level.
Major seminar
The seminar conducted at an institutional or departmental level for a specific topic or subject is known as major seminar. Usually students and teachers are participating in this type of seminar. This major seminar can be organized at department level for every month. A specific topic or subject is selected for the theme of the seminar.
National seminar
An association of any kind particularly with academic or professional interest or an organization (Government, Firm etc.) conducts the seminar at National level is called National seminar. The subject experts are invited to the seminar for discussion. The secretory of the seminar prepares the schedule and functionaries for seminar.
International seminar
Usually the seminar conducted by an international organization or agency is known as International seminar. Theme of this seminar has wider aspects. Globalization, Renovation, Atomic energy agreements, Policies implementation and modification etc. are examples for themes of International seminars. A Nation or its body can conduct or organize the international seminar.
Merits of seminar
• Naturally, the spontaneous learning can be achieved effectively in this method.
• Seminar is usually learner centered.
• Information seeking and retrieval behavior is encouraged very much in this method.
• The learner himself prepares and compiles his own paper for the seminar gives readiness of mind and learning becomes structured.
• Learning by doing is encouraged in this method.
• The paper presenter / participant receive a reinforced learning experience from the Group discussion.
• Learning experiences is highly structured by the learner himself.
• The teacher or chairperson of technical session only plays the Guidance and structional role.
• Develops cognitive, affective domains based learning.
• Norms of behavior is developed and reinforced.
• Develops open mindedness, suppress the subjective ideas from the learners.
• The interactions and the interrogations develops the spirit of information seeking behaviors (norms of behavior)
• The data processing skills, compilation skills, communication skill are easily inculcated in this method.
• Learner gets in- depth knowledge of the subject he presented.
• This method built better social values and fault tolerance levels in the minds of learner.
Limitations of seminar
• Setting up of a seminar for every topic in the text is not feasible.
• The subject area to be taught must be relevant to the theme of the seminar.
• The seminar themes must confirm the learning experiences to be inculcated to the students.
• This method found fit for higher learning only.
• Implementation of this method for lower classes is cumbersome.
• Only matured and balanced minded teachers can make this method successful.
• The teacher must be resourceful (both in academic and administrative) in nature.
• Time management is somewhat difficult.

Report
Report gives an overview of the seminar. Illustrate this with specific details you feel are particularly interesting or important. Quote formulas or details of derivations or proofs if you think they are of interest in their own right, or if they are essential to an understanding of the material.
• The report should be no more than 4 or 5 pages in length, double spaced.
• A good visual presentation is important.
• The emphasis of your report should be on the ideas presented in the seminar, not on the formulas and proofs. Give formulas only as necessary to illustrate specific points. If you want to describe a derivation or a proof, you should outline the approach used without repeating all of the details.
• Organize the report into headings and, where appropriate, sub-headings. Write concisely.
• If you site any papers (for example, papers from the reading list), include a list of references at the end of your report.
Refererence
            Teaching Science   -      Dr. Mariamma Mathew
            https:// www.slideshare.net