Seminar

 

Seminar

Seminar is a technique in which a person presents a ready made paper or lecture on a specific subject before a group.

While presenting seminars audio visual aids are also accompanied such as Over Head Projector,  Liquid Crystal Projector (LCD) etc.

The paper presenter can either be an expert or one of the members of the group. Sometimes, copies of the paper or abstract of the presented matter are distributed to the audience in advance.

After the presentation, there is a general discussion in which all participants can participate.

At this stage, the participants get an opportunity to clear their doubts and to highlight their specific view points.

Objectives of seminar technique

1.  help the students get an in-depth understanding of the subject matter.

2. To develop the habit of tolerance and co-operation among the students.

3. To help the students to overcome the problem of stage fear.

4. To help in developing the ability for keen attention and to present ideas effectively

5. To help in acquiring good manners of raising and answering questions.

Advantages

1. Helps the learner to develop analytical and critical thinking.

2. The presenter can be evaluated his skill in organising and presenting given subject matter in a systematic way.

3. Develop in learners self-reliance and self-confidence.

4. Develop the ability to comprehend major ideas by listening.

5. Develop the ability to raise relevant and pin-pointed questions.

Disadvantages

1. Lack of preparation on the part of the paper presenter may make the seminar a mere waste.

2. The formal structure of seminar restricts the participants from asking questions as and when needed.

3. The success of the seminar fully depends on the ability of the person who is presenting the topic. His inability will create so many problems.

Types of seminar

There are mainly three types of seminar They are:

1. Mini seminar

2. Major seminar

3. State/National/International seminar

1. Mini seminar - A seminar organised to discuss a topic in a class can be considered as a mini seminar.

2. Major seminar - A seminar which is organised at departmental level or institutional level on a major theme.

3. State/National/International seminar -

The Governmental, non-governmental organization or International agencies occasionally organise seminars on state/national/international levels.

The range of locality and reputation of key resource persons and delegates decide the level of the seminar.