On: The Lecture System in Teaching Science, and My Discovery of the "Gutenberg Method" (1986)

Huge Block of text written as though someone was speaking it.

Can anyone who's stronger then I, paraphrase it? Thanks!

This is for lecturers. And, for students who want to advocate for better use of class time.

Morrison, the author of the first essay, is a famous organic chemist who wrote the foundational book of organic chemistry used in many programs. He apparently wrote it to avoid lecturing. Class time was for answering questions. His essay extols the virtues of the Gutenberg system he got from Frank Lambert, another organic chemistry professor, and the author of the second essay.

If you want to see the meat of the central idea, the elements of the Gutenberg method, the first section of the second essay is what you want to read: The Beginning, From Failure.

Skimming, it seems the essence of the Gutenberg method lies in:

1. Before class, Prof gives students an outline of the reading (a 'notesheet'), highlighting key points

2. Students do reading with guidance from the outline

3. Prof uses class time not to lecture but to answer questions and go into important details, rather than spend time outlining on the board