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Lectures, tutorials and Seminars

MCC Library Central

Study Skills Series

When going to lectures and seminars it is necessary to both listen and hear

what is being said.

Listening and hearing are not quite the same. Our brains do not take in most

of what we hear. Listening, i.e. taking in the information and processing it in

our brains, requires concentration.

We listen in spurts – our hearing is four times faster than we can speak.

The following are some ideas and strategies that will help you improve how

you listen, concentrate and learn.

To get the most out of lectures, a balance between listening carefully (active

listening) and taking notes is needed.

Active Listening

Active listening involves asking questions before, during and after lectures,

talks, tutorials, seminars and/or lessons. This will help you get the most out of

your studies and help you to concentrate.

Here are some suggestions for the types of questions that you can ask

yourself:

Before:

What do I want to get out of the talk/lecture/tutorial?

How does it fit into my course?

What do I already know about the topic?

During:

What is the main topic being covered?

What are the key points?

Are there any practical applications?

Can I relate the information to something that will help me understand the

topic?

How does this relate to what I already know?

Will I need this information for an assignment/exam?





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MCC Library Central

Study Skills Series

After:

How can I record the main points simply to help me remember? (spider

diagram, mind map, pictogram, bullet point, flow chart etc)

What have I learnt?

What do I not understand? (Write a list of bits you did not understand)

What do I need to get clarified?

How does it fit into my existing knowledge?

What parts do I need to find more information on to consolidate my

learning?

Where do I need to go to get more information?

In order to achieve active listening:

1. Plan ahead

Prepare yourself before the lesson/tutorial/lecture by thinking about

previous lessons on the topic to be covered as a kind of warm-up and jog

your memory. Ask yourself and identify what you want to/need to get out

of the talk/session?

2. Reduce distractions

Make sure you find a seat that is comfortable and one where you have a

good posture and are supported properly so that you won’t fidget. Sit

where you won’t be easily distracted, i.e. not in the sun or near a window.

Sit where you can see the tutor and visual aids clearly. Make sure you’ve

been to the toilet before the start of the lecture and take water in to drink

during the talk.

3. Overview

During the talk take note of the initial overview given at the start and

record key words which summarise the main aims of the lecture.

4. Use key words

Look out for/listen for key words and phrases that indicate that the

following information will be important. Listen for phrases such as:

‘It’s vital that….’





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01606 720646

[email protected]

01606 720652


MCC Library Central

Study Skills Series

‘The key is……….’

‘There are 3 main …’

‘Today we are covering the following areas…’

‘You will be expected to know…’

5. Body language

Show you’re alert and interested. Positive body language such as your

facial expressions, movements and posture, help you keep focused and

help your brain absorb and retain information. If you are not sure how you

look when you are listening, you could ask someone close to you at home

to comment.

6. Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid of asking questions. Don’t just ask when you are confused

or don’t understand, ask questions to:

Obtain more information

Help clarify

Increase your understanding

Help you link the information to previous learning and other elements of

your course.

7. Taking notes

Try to use a recording format that suits your style of learning such as: bullet

points, visual imagery, flow charts or spider diagrams etc. Keep them

clear, simple and short as this will also make revision easier.

From the Website Box of Ideas: http://www.boxofideas.org/ideas/?page_id=2827

© The Dyscovery Centre 2010

http://www.boxofideas.org/ideas/?page_id=2827

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