Seminar and Symposium

 SEMINAR

Seminar is a socialized technique which is useful at school and college level. This technique is used to realize the higher cognitive and affective objectives. Seminar is an instructional technique which involves paper reading on a theme or topic followed by the group discussion to clarify the complex aspects of the theme.

Procedure:

Seminar is based on the principles of mutual cooperation and understanding.     

1. The first step is the selection of the topic by the organizer.

l The organizer prepares the total schedule of the seminar.

l Organizer selects a group of students (or experts) to form a group of speakers.

l A speaker who is thorough and an expert in the topic is selected as the chairperson or director or president of the seminar.

l The topic is divided into different aspects and each aspect is assigned to different speakers.

l Speakers are given enough time for preparation. Each speaker prepares their area in the form of write- ups called papers. The copies of papers are distributed among the participants before the commencement of the seminar. This helps the participants to prepare themselves on the topic and it encourages discussion.

2. The chairman introduces the topic, which is followed by paper presentation by the speakers. The paper presentation is a detailed explanation of the topic and presentation can be made effective by the use of audio-visual aids. After the topic is presented, it is discussed by the group.

3. During discussion, participants seek clarifications of the theme presented by asking questions to the Speakers, make own observation based on their experiences and raise issues or problems related to the topic for further analysis and evaluation. The chairman guides the discussion and stimulates maximum participation of the participants. The chairman consolidates the views expressed. Discussion is an important session in seminar, so sufficient time should be allowed for discussion.

4. Discussion is followed by the plenary session where the recorders present the report of the findings of the seminar. The report has the various recommendations and final solution on which the participants are expected to work out new methods in future.

Advantages:

l Collaborative learning through knowledge pooling: Knowledge and abilities of all participants are pooled together to work out a solution to the problem.

l Encourages active participation and higher-level thinking.Students are actively learning.

l The result is accurate and realistic.

l Helps in realizing higher objectives.

l Students learn to write & present papers.

l Students learn questioning ability, develops self confidence, responsibility and social skills.

Disadvantages:

l Highly structured topic cannot be covered using seminar.

l It cannot be used in lower classes, because the members of the seminar should have social and emotional maturity.

l Sometimes the participants may form two groups-for and against the topic leading to a debate. This is not conducive for learning.

SYMPOSIUM

Symposium is an instructional technique used in higher learning. The meaning of the term symposium is meeting of persons to discuss a problem or theme. Symposium is a discussion by different speakers on the same topic emphasizing different aspects.

Definition: "Symposium technique serves as an excellent device for informing an audience, different opinions and preparing the listeners for arriving at a decision, judgement or wider understanding."

Obiectives or goals:

l To identify & understand the various aspects of the problem or theme.

l To develop the ability to take decision and judgement regarding a problem.

l To develop higher cognitive and affective objectives.

Procedure: 

A Small group of five members are selected as speakers. A chairman for the symposium is selected. The chairman and the speakers discuss the various aspects of the theme in advance. Chairman organizes and presides over the symposium. In a symposium, the audience very seldom participates, so the chairman and speakers anticipate the possible questions and doubts to be cleared and include these in their presentation.

The chairman presents the topic or theme. After this the speakers are allowed to talk for ten to twenty minutes. The talk may be argumentative or informative. Each talk proceeds without interruption. The audience listen the talk and understand the theme or problem and forms their own decision or judgement. No summary of the discussion is given in symposium as in panel discussion or seminar.

Advantages:

l Brings together variety of opinions on the given theme.

l Develops higher cognitive and affective objectives.

l Opportunity for listeners to take decision.

Disadvantages:

l Audience cannot interact with speakers, so they may become passive.

l Difficulty in getting competent speakers.