Listening to Lectures

SAC Study Skills

SAC Guided Independent Learning

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Workshop aims:

Give an overview of academic lectures and how they differ from other learning experiences

Look at problems when listening to an academic lecture

Preparing for a lecture

Lecture styles

During a lecture

After a lecture

Think about:

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Purpose of a lecture

important conceptsimportant concepts

newideasnewideas

relevanttheoriesrelevanttheories

To explain:

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

What’s the difference?

LectureLecture ConversationConversation

Requires a high level of subject knowledgeRequires a high level of subject knowledge

Essential to be able to identify what is relevant or not

Essential to be able to identify what is relevant or not

Only requires general knowledgeOnly requires

general knowledge

Useful to be able toidentify what is relevant or not

Useful to be able toidentify what is relevant or not

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

What are the consequences?The listener in a lecture has to simultaneously process:

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Lecture strategies

Speaking speed or speaker’s accent

• Practice listening on Moodle or WebCt• Listening resources in the SAC• SAC resources on the U-drive• On-line sites and resources

http://vsac.cele.nottingham.ac.uk/http://www.elanguages.ac.uk/ningbo/

(username: eapningbo password: ezap932s)

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Lecture strategies

New vocabulary and concepts

• Pre-reading before the lecture• Writing questions in your notes to be followed up later

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Lecture strategies

Amount of information

• Practice note-taking techniques• Pre-reading before the lecture• Review the PPT slides and handouts after the lecture

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Preparing for a lecture

Pre-reading

• Do the core reading assigned to the lecture• Learn key terminology and concepts

o a subject specific dictionary or vocabulary booko on-line sourceso course, module or division glossary

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Preparing for a lecture

Questions

• Before the lecture write down any questions you can think of about the topic• Talk with your colleagues to find gaps in your knowledge

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

During a lecture

Questions

• Try to listen for the answers to questions you wrote before the lecture• Write down any new questions that you think of during the lecture• Don’t be afraid to ask the lecturer questions (he or she will usually tell you when you can ask)

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

During a lecture

Notes

• Listen for signpost language to help you identify important information• Make a note of any points you find particularly interesting or or feel are important• Remember, it is impossible to write down every- thing the lecturer says

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

After a lecture

Questions

• Review your questions – did you find answers?• Did you think of others questions during the lecture?• Do you have any questions after reviewing your notes, and the lecture PPT and handouts?

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

After a lecture

Other options

• Write a short summary of the lecture• Meet with colleagues or form a study group to compare your notes and summaries

• did you understand the lecture in the same way?• how can the ideas in the lecture be used for assignments, etc?• do you have any questions about the content of the lecture?

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Thinking about lectures

Are all lectures the same?

• No • Lecture styles differ between subject areas and between lecturers• or with the same lecturer from week-to-week

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Thinking about lectures

Are all lectures the same?

A lecturer may:• compare two models or theories• take a problem – solution approach• use a question and answer style• compare and contrast information• or do something else again…

SAC Guided Independent Learning - Study Skills

Thinking about lectures

Are all lectures the same?

•Familiarize yourself with the approach that your lecturers take• If you are aware of the style a lecturer prefers to use you will be able to follow the lectures more easily

Thank you for your attention

Any Questions?