The disjunction between lecturers' conceptions of teaching and their claimed educational practice

This article reports a survey of current teaching practice and lecturers' perceptions of their role within a Business School. These findings have been placed in a theoretical framework. Analysis of the qualitative aspects of the survey showed some interesting variations in conceptions of the role of a lecturer, the purpose of lectures, tutorials and assessment. The results also showed inconsistencies which are explored. The main conceptions of teaching held by respondents describe the role of the lecturer as either imparting knowledge; providing student support; enthusing and motivating students; facilitating student learning; or some combination of these conceptions. A substantial majority of respondents saw themselves as either facilitators or student supporters. However, the predominant use of lectures and tutorials, with the purpose of disseminating information and applying or checking knowledge and understanding, conflicts with the majority view of the role of the lecturer. This disjunction between stated aims and claimed educational practice has been described as one of the 'mysteries of higher education'. Lecturers express attitudes and beliefs about teaching which are not translated into their teaching strategies and methods. Possible explanations for this disjunction are explored.