Lectures, Seminars and Tutorials

Synchronous sessions are where students and educators are together at the same time. The mix of synchronous sessions on your course and on individual modules will vary in type and length. They may also have different aims and different levels of interaction. Some common types of session are: 
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• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• practicals

A lecture... 

• is a common term used to describe a timetabled teaching session.  
• might involve all the students in your year group, or a sub-section of the group. This will depend on the size of your cohort and whether the module is core or optional. It is therefore likely that you will be in the lecture with a large group of students.  
• are a key way in which the content of your module is taught. For this reason, attendance is usually compulsory and it is important to attend.   
• has no set format, but it will usually involve teaching staff presenting to the group. There may also be time in the lecture for short activities, discussion and questions.  
• usually serves as an introduction and an explanation which will be the starting point for your understanding of the module content.
   

What is expected of you in a lecture?  

• It’s not possible to capture everything a lecturer says, so you are not expected to make notes on all the content in a lecture. It’s helpful to note down key points, but it is equally important to give yourself a chance to listen to the ideas and explanations. (See sections on how to prepare for a lecture, what to do during a lecture, note making techniques) 
• You’re not expected to immediately understand all the content presented in a lecture. Many of the concepts will be new to you or might be complex. The lecture is not the only time you will be able to access the material. There’s an expectation that you’ll do some additional reading and study outside of the lecture to help you understand the topics and to expand your knowledge further. It’s also possible that you will have a chance to discuss the topics further in a seminar or tutorial session. (See section on what to do after the lecture) 

A seminar or tutorial...

• tends to be in a smaller group.
• gives you the opportunity to further develop your knowledge and skills relating to the lecture and module content.
• is usually timetabled and attendance compulsory, like lectures.

What is expected of you in a seminar or tutorial?  

• They are usually more interactive than a lecture. For example, you might be asked to read something so that you can contribute to a group discussion, complete some questions which will be discussed, or you might be asked to present a topic to the student group.   
• Although you might be asked to prepare something before a seminar, as with a lecture you are not expected to fully understand all the ideas and concepts. It’s perfectly acceptable to come along with questions and to raise things that you don’t understand. Seminars are a place to explore and develop your learning. The idea is that all group members, alongside the seminar leader or facilitator, are there to contribute to the session and to support each other’s learning.

A practical session...

• can take many forms. For example, you might be working in a physical or online space, which could be a laboratory, a computer suite, a performance space, or an outdoor environment.
• may be longer than a lecture or seminar and will be organised in a different way. Although there may be a presentation element from a member of the teaching team, the focus is more likely to be about you developing a variety of core skills (and the associated knowledge) appropriate to your module and discipline.
   

What is expected of you in a practical session?  

• You may be required to bring specific equipment along, undertake some basic health and safety training, do some preparatory reading, or prepare an activity for the student group.  
• You will probably be expected to work in pairs, or small groups and there will be opportunities to ask questions and get informal feedback on the tasks.   
• Apart from your usual notes, you may be required to complete a document which will form part of your assessment, for example, a lab notebook or a reflective journal.