NURSING EDUCATION

ASSIGNMENT
ON
SYMPOSIUM

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

ALEMINLA. C . JAMIR MRS LAXMI DEVI MAAM
MSC NURSING 1ST YEAR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
OBG DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
HOLY MARY COLLEGE OF NURSING HOLY MARY COLLEGE OF NURSING
HYDERABAD HYDERABAD

SUBMITTED ON:
12/01/23
 INDEX

SL NO CONTENT PAGE NO

1 INTRODUCTION

2 MEANING

3 DEFINITION

4 PURPOSES

5 CHARACTERISTICS

6 PRINCIPLES

7 GUIDELINES

8 PRECAUTIONS FOR SYMPOSIUM

9 SCOPE FOR THE USE OF SYMPOSIUM

10 LIMITATIONS OF SYMPOSIUM TECHNIQUES

11 TECHNIQUES OF SYMPOSIUM

12 ADVANTAGES

13 DISADVANTAGES

14 CONCLUSION
 SYMPOSIUM

INTRODUCTION

Symposium technique is one of the techniques of higher learning. The purpose of

higher learning is to develop the abilities of criticism, appreciation, to respect the ideas
and feelings of others, to present one's own ideas and seek clarifications. It is an
instructional technique which is used to achieve higher cognitive and affective
objectives.

MEANING

The word “symposium” has several dictionary meanings.

● “ good dialogue” to present the views towards God.(Plato)
● The intellectual recreation or enjoyment.
● A meaning of persons to discuss a problem or theme.

DEFINITION

Symposium is defined as a teaching technique that serves as an excellent method for

informing the audience, crystallizing their opinion and preparing them for arriving at a
decision regarding a particular issue or a topic.

(OR)

Symposium is a discussion method in which different view points on a single aspect of a

topic is discussed.

PURPOSES

● To identify and understand various aspects of a theme.

● To develop the ability to arrive at a decision and provide judgment for a problem.
● To develop values and feelings regarding a problem.
● To provide understanding to the students or listeners on a theme or problem to
specifically develop certain values and feelings.
● To enable the listeners form policies regarding a theme or a problem.
 ● To investigate a problem from several points of view.
● To boost students' abilities to speak in the group.
● To encourage the students to study independently.

CHARACTERISTICS

❖ Symposium provides a broad understanding of a topic or problem.

❖ The listener is provided with an opportunity to make decisions about a
problem.
❖ This method is used in higher classes for specific themes or a problem.
❖ It develops feelings of cooperation and adjustment.
❖ Symposium technique helps in achieving the objectives of synthesis and
evaluation.
❖ It provides different views on the topic of the symposium.

PRINCIPLES

❖ The speeches may be persuasive, argumentative and informative.

❖ Original presentation is objective and accurate.
❖ The method always includes a summary at conclusion.
❖ Each speech proceeds without interruption.
❖ The chairman of the symposium introduces the topic, suggests its
importance and sometimes indicates the general approaches.
❖ All members of the symposium performing group can sit in a straight line
behind the table; or in adjoining chairs with the chairman in the middle or
to one side of the speakers.
❖ The symposium presents two conflicting points of view, the reading
arrangement allows speakers on the platform to indicate differences in
opinion or to preserve peace.

GUIDELINES

● The chairman of the symposium introduces the topic and suggests something of
its importance.
● Two or more speakers talk from 10 to 20 minutes.
● The speech may be persuasive, argumentative, informative or evocative. Each
speech proceeds without interruption.
 ● The speeches are followed by questions or comments from the audience as in
the panel form.
PRECAUTIONS FOR SYMPOSIUM

There are three conditions in the use of the symposium technique:

● Firstly the moderator should be sure to prepare the speakers or see that they are
prepared. They should know the rules of procedure, sequence of speaking, and
way in which the forum will be conducted; and they should be aware of the ideas,
and background of other performers.
● Secondly the chairman is responsible for preparing the agendas, and should not
attempt to stack the cards by omitting or ignoring vital phases of the problem as
he selects or delegates his speakers. It is not good to face up to an inadvertent
misinterpretation or omission.
● Thirdly the chairman in the forum situations must plan very carefully for the
questioning period that follows the prepared speeches, unless he wishes to risk
boredom.

SCOPE FOR THE USE OF SYMPOSIUM

The following are the main topics on which symposium technique is used:

● Use of television for education.

● Scope of distance education in our education.
● Use of essay and objective types tests.
● Semester system in education.
● Causes of student’s unrest.
● Quality control of educational research.
● Use of micro-teaching in teacher-education.
● Use of action research in classroom teaching.
● Scope of education technology in our education.

LIMITATIONS OF SYMPOSIUM TECHNIQUE

● The chairman has no control over the speakers.

● There is a probability of repetition of the conduct because every speaker
prepares the theme as a whole.
● The different aspects of a theme are presented simultaneously.
● The listeners remain passive in the symposium.
● The discussion and presentation of the theme is not summarized at the end.
 ● This technique is employed to achieve the higher objectives of cognitive domain
but affective objectives are not emphasized properly.

TECHNIQUES OF SYMPOSIUM

➔ Teachers should plan the program ahead of time.

➔ Each member of the class, as well as the student speakers should know the
objectives of the symposium and breadth of the topic.
➔ Each student should prepare on the given or accepted topic.
➔ The teacher should have a conference with each of the student speakers.
➔ The teacher or a student may function as a chairman.
➔ The symposium starts with the chairman introducing the topic.
➔ Next chairman introduces the speakers.
➔ Then the topic is presented by the students taking 15 to 20 minutes time.
➔ As a conclusion at the end the chairman gives a brief summary of the speeches
and opens the discussion to the students.
➔ Any questions or contributions addressed through the chairman.

ADVANTAGES

★ Symposium can be used to address a large group or class.

★ This method can be frequently used to present broad topics for discussion at
conventions and organization of meetings.
★ In symposium, the principle of organization is high as the speeches are prepared
beforehand.
★ It gives a deeper insight into a topic.
★ It directs the students to continuous independent study.
★ This method can be used in political meetings.

DISADVANTAGES

★ Symposium does not provide adequate opportunity for all the students to
participate actively. It has limited audience participation.
★ The speech is limited to 10 to 20 minutes.
★ Questions and Answer sessions are limited to 3 to 4 minutes.
★ It has the possibility of overlapping subjects.
★ The chairman has no control over the speakers as they have full freedom to
prepare the theme for discussion. They can present any aspect of the theme or
problem.
 ★ There is a possibility of repetition of content. The different aspects of the theme
are not prepared separately. It creates difficulty of understanding for the listeners.
★ The different aspects of the theme are not presented simultaneously. Therefore
the listeners are not able to understand the theme correctly.
★ The listeners remain passive in the symposium because they are not given an
opportunity to seek clarification and question in between the symposium.

CONCLUSION:

Symposium as a method of teaching is suitable for large or smaller groups, a number of

papers are read dealing with different aspects of the same subject, or different points of
view on one topic. The papers may be prepared by staff, outside specialists or students.
After the papers have been read, contributions are invited from the audience. These
may take the form of additional points or direct questions to one or other of the paper
readers. All contributions are addressed through the chairman. Generally three-fourths
of the time will be devoted to the paper and one-fourths to the audience participation.