Academic lectures for the purpose of instruction maintain an important presence in most colleges and universities worldwide. This chapter examines the current state of the lecture and how learning sciences research can inform the most effective use of this method. The author presents evidence that the lecture can be an effective element of instructional practice. The chapter focuses on the lecture method, the delivery of information in an organized way to a large group of recipients by one person, and the lecture system, which includes the lecture along with specific activities involving students' active participation in learning the subject matter.