Final answer:
The statement is true; well-directed questions from an instructor can transform a passive lecture into an interactive and lively discussion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that an instructor can make the difference between a dull lecture and a lively discussion by asking well-directed questions is true. When instructors engage with their students using thought-provoking questions, it encourages participation and facilitates a dynamic learning environment. For example, by having students generate examples on the blackboard for points previously discussed, instructors can provoke a spirited debate. Furthermore, instructors should encourage students to approach them if they find a particular topic difficult or intriguing, reinforcing the knowledge that learning is an active process and that seeking help is a vital part of it.
To maintain academic integrity and keep the discussions productive, instructors may use polling questions that can survey students' understanding and simultaneously keep them engaged. All these methods contribute to transforming the passive activity of listening to a lecture into an active and engaging learning experience.