7/28/2019 Getting the Most from Lectures Through Active Listening

1/2

RYERSON UNIVERSITY

LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES

Getting the Most from Lectures Through Active Listening

Class lectures are one of your major opportunities for learning at university. Thefollowing strategies will help you to listen actively during class so that you can take moreeffective notes. For note-taking strategies, see the separate handout Taking EffectiveNotes from Lectures.

Be prepared to listen actively. Before the lecture,

look at your course outline so that youll know what will be covered.

review notes from previous classes so that you can predict how the newlecture relates to what you have learned in class thus far. If you are unclear

about previous material, prepare questions for the prof to answer.

complete any assigned readings using the SQ3R method so that youll beable to connect what you learn in the lecture to what you have read in thetextbook.

organize everything you need for class, such as the textbook, yournotebook, pens and pencils. If you come to class prepared, you wont have to

scrounge for pen and paper while the professor is speaking.

be on time so that you dont miss the beginning of the lecture, when the

professor may take a few minutes to review key points from the previouslecture and/or introduce the key points for todays lecture.

pick a good spot where you can hear the lecture and see the prof, theboard, and any visual aids (preferably in the front row). Being in a goodlocation will help you concentrate.

Listen actively during class.

Cope with distractions such as noise and movement in the hall by keepingyour eyes on the professor or your notebook. If someone talking nearby is

bothering you, either politely ask the person to stop talking or move to anotherseat. You have a right to listen to the lecture without disruption.

Dont create your own distractions by, for example, trying to do

homework for other classes or reading the text for this class while the prof isspeaking. You are listening to learn, so dont prevent yourself from listening.

7/28/2019 Getting the Most from Lectures Through Active Listening

2/2

Keep an open mind. Dont criticize the professors teaching stylejust bereceptive to the information the professor is presenting. Dont criticize thelecture as boring or irrelevantmaintain the attitude that you want to be in

class because you will acquire new knowledge, skills, and insights that youcan use to complete assignments, write exams, and do well in your career.

And dont get upset if you disagree with what the prof is sayingwithholdjudgement until you understand the material and can ask for clarification.

Pay attention to the organization of the lecture. The prof may begin bylisting the major points. In the main part of the lecture, listen for verbal cluesthat help you distinguish between main ideas and supporting details. Listenfor concepts and try to understand how the details support the concepts.Details include

o examples (for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as)

o steps in a process (first, next, then, finally)

o

causes and/or effects (because, therefore, as a result)o definitions (means, is/are called, is/are defined as)

o comparison/contrast (similarly, same as, in contrast, differs

from, on the other hand, however)

o reasons (there are X reasons that Y is important).

As well, the prof can signal new material (Lets move on to the next point)or sum up key points (in summary, in conclusion).

Listen for verbal clues that information is important. To emphasize keyconcepts, the professor may repeat or rephrase ideas or put notes on overhead

transparencies or the board. He or she may even state outright, This materialis important or Remember this. [The prof may also emphasize concepts byusing nonverbal clues such as gestures, a louder tone of voice, or a slower rate

of speech.]

Try to connect what you are hearing to what you already know fromreading the text, from previous learning, or from your own experience.

Pay attention to references the prof makes to other sources of information,

such as specific pages in the text or books on reserve in the library.

You wont be able to give 100% of your attention for 100% of the class.Just dont let your mind wander too far for too long. Be aware of whenyou are losing concentration and pull yourself back to the here and now.Refocus on the professor and think about what youre hearing. To avoid

daydreaming, mentally review what has been covered thus far and anticipatewhat is coming next.

If there is anything you dont understand, ask for clarification.