Assessing chalk & talk and power point presentation techniques for teaching engineering courses

The paper discusses the curriculum delivery modes to promote teaching and learning of engineering in universities. The current modes of instruction are the traditional chalk&talk and PowerPoint presentations. The latter completely depends on the rapid growth and adoption of modern ICT in enhanced teaching classrooms and environments. The study is based on the literature and extended teaching experiences of the authors in different universities in Africa, Europe and North America. Anecdote information obtained from fellow academics and consultation with students were also used in the paper. The discourse covered the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Because of the complex nature of engineering education, either of the delivery modes may not be adequate to cover all courses or topics required in a program for professional accreditation. As a result, it is recommended that instructors should use a hybrid technique consisting of chalk & talk and PowerPoint, having determined which area of the course will benefit significantly from either technique.