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SEMINAR AND SYMPOSIUM

INTRODUCTION

Seminar and symposium are the two common forms of discussions employed in teaching nursing.
Seminar and symposium share some common features of discussion. This is usually used for teaching higher
level students like post graduates, research scholars etc.

SEMINAR

Based on the level of organization, seminar can be classified into four type’s.

1. Mini seminar
2. Main seminar
3. National seminar and
4. International seminar.

Seminar conducted in the class room is called mini seminar .Main seminar is organized at the institutional
level. As names indicate, national seminar and international seminar are conducted at the national and
international level respectively. Seminar offers a form of conversation between students and faculty members. It
is usually reserved for graduate students or those who acquired considerable back ground information about the
subject of the seminar. The success of seminar depends on careful preparation of reading or laboratory works
prior to the session. The major role of the teacher is to bring out ideas of students and say as little as possible
herself expect those points where her comment may be needed.

MEANING

1. A seminar as an instructional technique involves generating a situation in a group to have guided

interaction among themselves on different aspects or components of topic, which is generally presented by
one or more members. The person who guides the seminar is the chairperson, experts who present the
information are speakers and group members who are benefited from the seminar are participants.

2. A small group of students meeting together to discuss topic with teacher.

3. A group of supervised students doing research or advanced study.

4. A meeting for discussion or training.

DEFINITION

1. Seminar is a group of members come together to exchange views of current problems of to share with
others their own experiences, experiments, discoveries .etc.

2. Seminar is a small discussion group that provides an opportunity for knowledge integration at higher
level.

3. Seminar is an advanced type of socialized techniques each individual in the seminar group either takes
part in carrying out of separate individual investigation or assumes a share of large project.
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-
Clement

4. Seminar is an instructional technique of higher learning which involves paper reading in a theme and
followed by the group discussion to clarify the complex aspects of the theme
-
Basavanthappa

OBJECTIVES

 To give students the opportunity to participate in methods of scientific analysis and research procedures.
 To promote deeper understanding about attitudes interest and develop desirable inter personal
relationships-desirable group process.
 To help the students to develop skills in reading and comprehension of scientific writing of verbal
presentations.
 It enables that the students to gain experience in self evaluation and evaluation of others.
 It enables the students to gain additional information, insights and other approaches to problem solving.
 To gain knowledge related to recent trends and development in nursing
 Develop an insight about issues in society.

PURPOSES OF SEMINAR

 Help the students to study the subject matters.

 Help in problem solving skills.
 Help the students to participate in methods of scientific analysis and research procedures.
 Help in students to increase their responsibilities.
 Help the students to change their attitudes and values.

AREAS INVOLVED IN SEMINAR

Seminar format is useful in

1. Teaching professional development
2. Administrative abilities
3. Ethical and legal issues

STEPS INVOLVED IN PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF SEMINAR

I. Participants preparation:
1. Participants’ role in seminar.
2. Leadership role in seminar.
3. Educator’s qualities.
4. Examples of educator evaluation question.
II. Preparation of contents:
1. Qualities of contents of presentation
2. Audio visual aids used
3. Qualities of presentation
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III. Preparation of environment for presentation:

Where, when and how to present.
IV. Presentation of seminar.
V. Evaluation and grading of seminar

QUALITIES OF SPEAKER

 Through knowledge of subject matter.

 Excellent speech and delivery of subject matter.
 Neatness and poise.
 Good voice quality.
 Should deliver the messages clearly.
 Should organize the subject content before delivery.

PRINCIPLES

 Structure the seminar in such a way as to enable participation.

 Maintain group’s working environment.
 Establish ground rules about preparation and participation.
 It requires a back ground of knowledge skills in library work.

DIFFERENT PERSONNELLS IN SEMINAR

Organizers ; chairperson ; speakers ; participants

ROLE OF ORGANISERS

It is the organizers who decide the topic of seminar. Usually topics are related to current trends or recent
developments in the clinical practice or nursing education. First topic is decided, formulating objectives,
organizers search for a chairperson and select an eminent person who is well versed in the concerned
topic .Date and time is fixed according to the convenience of chairperson and speakers.

ROLE OF CHAIRPERSON

Chairperson should possess in depth knowledge regarding the topic and it is his duty to guide the seminar in a
fruitful manner. Seminar starts with an introductory speech by the chairperson. He justifies the topic selection
by stating its relevance and importance in the current context and introduces the speakers by highlighting their
achievements .After speech, chairperson invites a speaker according to the order .When one speaker completes,
give a summary and invite next speaker. Once every speaker completes presentation, chairperson starts open
discussion and clear their doubts.

ROLE OF SPEAKERS

Success of seminar depends on discussion session utilized by the participants and mainly by the performance
quality and quantity of information].Speakers prepares the materials and hand over to organizers. Normally
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study materials are giving one or two hours before seminar. They have to present in interesting way with the
help of audio visual aids.

ROLE OF PARTICIPANTS

Objectives are framed with learning needs of participants. They have to use the discussion session by asking
questions, seeking clarification and expressing their viewpoints.

SEMINAR TECHNIQUE

Each individual in the seminar group either takes part in caring out of separate individual investigation. The
individual places his findings before members of seminar who critically evaluate or discuss the findings.

Students are expected to do considerable library research and when feasible obtain primary source data. Data
collection is analyses critically evaluate and conclusions reached under the direction of teacher. As seminar
progress the student will assume increasing responsibilities for preparing the problems and for conducting the
discussion.

 Organizers make necessary arrangements and distribute study material one or two hours before seminar
to participants.
 Introductory speech of chairperson, he invites speakers to present latest information about topic and
summarizes after the presentation before inviting the next speaker.
 Open discussion starts with inviting questions and clarification. Clarifications should be clear.
 At the end, chairperson summarizes and will give a conclusion.

SEMINAR FORMAT

For discuss about disease condition contents are

1. Introduction.
2. Definition.
3. Related anatomy and physiology.
4. Etiology and risk factors.
5. Incidence and occurrence.
6. Pathophysiology.
7. Diagnostic evaluation.
8. Clinical manifestations.
9. Management- medical, surgical, pharmacological, dietary and nursing.
10. Complications.
11. Summary.
12. Bibliography.

CRITERIA FOR GOOD SEMINAR

1. Seminar group preferably is limited to 10 to 15 students with a maximum of 25.

2. Duration of meeting is usually 1 to 2 hours
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3. Leader of discussion is the teacher.

4. Students also function as chairman.
5. Effective use of seminar method requires a background of knowledge, skill in library work and some
sophistication in problem solving.
6. As because of above reason it is more widely used with student in upper division courses than it is with
beginners.
7. Members must come prepare with material for presentation and discussion.
8. The teacher keeps the discussion within the limits of the problem discussed.
9. The effectiveness of the problem discussed on the selection and preparation of the topic

ADVANTAGES OF SEMINAR

o Seminar helps the students to increase their responsibilities.

o It gives opportunity to participate in methods of scientific analysis and research procedure.
o It helps to do thorough study on the subject.
o It helps to improve the leadership qualities.
o It is an effective method of problem solving.
o It will help to improve curriculum, their by the profession.

DISADVATAGES

 It is useful only upper division students as it needs high skills for performing library work
 It needs preliminary planning.
 Members come prepared with material for presentation and discussion.
 Proper planning is needed to arrange a seminar.
 A seminar cannot be organized on all the contents of a subject matter.
 During the discussion groups will form in two ideas, as a result they try to win over the other.
The purpose of seminar is not served.
 When a seminar is organized the person who speak too much dominate the discussion and do not
provide opportunity to others that means the discussion confines only few people rather than
whole group.

ROLE OF MEMBERS IN SEMINAR:

I. Student:
1. Expected to do library work
2. Collect appropriate relevant contents.
3. Contents should be clear and well stated.
4. Utilize the AV aids.
5. Should be well prepared before presentation
II. Teacher:
1. Help the students to select appropriate topic.
2. Guide the students to select the contents.
3. Suggest available sources of information.
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III. Co-coordinators:
1. Select problem is solved analyzed and critically evaluate and concluded by co-ordinator.
2. The co-coordinator has to organize the seminars.

SYMPOSIUM

Symposium is a type of socialized technique where as each of participants is expected to present a well
reasoned argument or point at view with respect to the problem being discussed. The point of view may be
presented through speakers or paper reading. Fact and feeling of each presentation vary with speakers and with
the situation. This makes the symposium constant in form but flexible in method.

MEANING

Symposium is Greek word for drinking party symposia was very frequent at Athens. Their enjoinment was
heightened by agreeable conversation, by introduction of music and dancing, sometimes philosophical subjects
were discussed.

Syn-together

Posis-a drinking.

Symposium is a form of discussion in which different viewpoints regarding the single aspect of a topic is
discussed under the guidance of a chairperson. Symposium is the most preferred method to discuss
controversial issues e.g. professional status of nursing.

o A drinking party at which there was intellectual conversation.

o Any meeting or social gathering at which ideas are freely exchanged.
o Conference or meeting to discuss a particular academic subjects.
o A collection of opinion especially a published group of essay on a subject given.

DEFINITION

Symposium is a method of group discussion in which two or more persons under the direction of chairman
present separate speeches which gives several aspects of one question.-Clement

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF SYMPOSIUM

 To clarify thought in debatable questions.

 To investigate a problem from several points of view.
 To acquire increased knowledge, intellectual abilities and skills.
 To increase interest towards the subject
 To change attitudes and values towards common goal.
 For better personal and social adjustments.
 To get good co operation
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PRINCIPLES OF SYMPOSIUM

 Chairman has to introduce the topic and has to lead the meeting.
 Discussion among symposium member is not allowed.
 Chairman takes charge over the topic distributed to the speakers and allots them.
 Sufficient time for presentation of particular topic.
 Speakers present the topic through speech or paper reading.
 Chairman should start symposium with short introduction of the topic and speakers.
 To the conclusion chair man is responsible for summarizing the topic.
 Doubts are clarified at the end of the discussion.

PURPOSE

 To investigate a problem from several points of view.

 To boost students ability to speak in group.
 To make the students to study independently.

MEMBERS INVOLVED IN SYMPOSIUM:

 Chairman
 Speaker
 Audience

ROLE OF DIFFERENT PERSONNEL

In symposium, chairperson has to exert more control over speakers while expressing contradictory opinions. To
make it success chairperson has to maintain a non judgmental attitude and provide equal opportunity to all
speakers. Study material may not be issued, have to discuss their own viewpoints.

ROLE OF CHAIRPERSON:

1. Selection of topic
2. Distribution of topic
3. Guide the speaker towards goal
4. Control over the group
5. Summarizing and giving conclusions

QUALITIES OF CHAIRMAN:

1. Responsible for planning and co-ordinating the program.

2. Good counselor.
3. A researcher
4. A resource person
5. A representative to professional nursing organization

ROLE OF A SPEAKER
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1. Preparation of the topic

2. Presentation of the topic

ROLE OF AUDIENCE

1. Listens over the program

2. Arising questions and clarifying the doubts during the end.

SYMPOSIUM TECHNIQUE

Begins with introductory speech of chairperson. Then speakers present their viewpoints. After that participants
are invited to express opinions regarding speaker’s viewpoints. In symposium, more time is allotted for
discussion for involving participants compared to speakers. Finally discuss pros and cons of different
viewpoints expressed.

 Success depends largely on personnel involved and degree of preparation

 Good planning and organization is needed.
 Experts in various field experiences can yield more information.
 All the members should know the objectives.
 Teachers should have a conference with student speaker regarding topic presentation prior to prevent
overlapping.

USES

 Political meeting
 Professional conventions
 Association meetings
 Co-acting group
 Conference group

ADVANTAGES

 It is suited to a large group or classes.

 This field can be frequently used to present broad topics for discussions at conventions and organization
meetings.
 Organization is good because of the set speeches prepared beforehand.
 Gives deeper insight into the topic.
 Directs the students to continuous independent study.
 Lends itself to the teaching of clinical subjects.
 Greater advantage in political meetings, professional organization.
 Symposium method generally presents wider basis for discussion than lecture method.
 Persons involved have different roles to play which avoids conflicts and misunderstanding among them.
 Audience can get wide sets of knowledge from different exposure.
 It acts as a disciplined way of both teaching and learning.

DISADVANTAGES
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 No discussion among symposia members

 Topics should be given by chairperson
 Inadequate opportunity for all the students to participate actively.
 Absence of rehearsal of the program.
 The speech is limited to 15 to 20 minutes and each one is seriously hampered in development of her
topics.
 Limited audience participation.
 Question and answer limited to 3 or 4 minutes.
 Possibility of overlapping of subjects.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEMINAR AND SYMPOSIUM

SEMINAR SYMPOSIUM

Topics are related to recent trends and Topics are related to controversial issues in
developments in nursing. nursing.

Multiple aspect of the topic under Single aspect of the topic is discussed.
consideration is discussed.

Chairperson has to exert less control. Chair person has to exert more control .

Less time for discussion involving participants More time for discussion involving participants.

Comparatively less preparation from the side Demands more preparation from the side of
of participants participants

DISADVANTAGES OF SEMINAR AND SYMPOSIUM

 Shortage of resource personnel.

 Autocratic attitude of chairperson did not allow fair presentation of information by speakers or
participants.
 Inadequate preparation from the side of resource personnel

CONCLUSION

Even though seminar and symposium share some common features of discussion, each has its own
entity as a teaching method .Seminar and symposium are usually used for higher level students like post
graduates research scholars etc. Both seminar and symposium involves same categorized personnel.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

 B Sankaranarayanan, B Sindhu; Learning and teaching nursing;Third edition.

 Kanakalakshmi S;Communication and Educational Technology, 2nd Edition; Hydrabad:Florence
Publishers; 2009
 Clement I ;Text book on Communication and Educational Technology, 1st Edition, Bangalore,
EMMEES Medical Publisher;2008
 Basavanthapa B T; Nursing Education, 1st Editiion, .New Delhi:Jaypee Publishers; 2004.
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NURSING EDUCATION

A PRESENTATION ON

SEMINAR AND
SYMPOSIUM

SUBMITTED TO; SUBMITTED BY;

Mrs. Lakshmi, Joseph Jeswin George,

Lecturer, Ist year Msc Nursing,

KRSMCON. KRSMCON.
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SUBMITTED ON: 30-08-10

INDEX
Sl. No. CONTENT PAGE NUMBER

1. Introduction
a. SEMINAR

2. Meaning
3. Definition
4. Objectives
5. Purpose of seminar
6. Areas involved in seminar
7. Steps involved in preparation and presentation of seminar
8. Qualities of speaker
9. Principles
10. Seminar technique
11. Seminar format
12. Criteria for good seminar
13. Advantages
14. Disadvantages
15. Role of members in seminar
a. SYMPOSIUM

16. Meaning
17. Definition
18. Aims and objectives of symposium
19. Principles
20. Purposes
21. Members involved in symposium
22. Symposium techniques
23. Uses
24. Advantages
25. Disadvantages

26. Differences between seminar and symposium

27. Disadvantages of seminar and symposium
28. Conclusion
29. Bibliography
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