Active listening requires you to be ‘present,’ in-person or virtually, and to really understand and comprehend what is being said. In lectures, we recommend taking notes (written or typed) and critically evaluate the information. Ask questions where there are gaps in your knowledge and try to use what you have heard and learnt in your conversations and decisions to make informed choices.
Let us have a think about how we can actively listen in practice. We will firstly consider the speaker (most likely a lecturer/tutor whilst at university.)
If you are making the effort to attend a lecture or a presentation, then engaging with the speaker is going to be far more beneficial to you than switching off, even it is a subject which you find difficult to follow.
Lecturers have an in-depth knowledge of their subject, often going beyond the knowledge in your textbooks. They will present to you all the essential information that you will need to know to do well in that module or course. It is essential that you endeavour to listen well and take notes.
However, if you find that your lecturer is difficult to follow, either too fast, too slow, or too quiet then it is best to have tactics in place. If the lecturer has a quiet voice, you could sit closer to the front. You should also consider your position in the room and make sure you can see the presentation screen and any props that may be used for practical demonstrations.
Try to research the subject before you attend the lecture. You will then notice key words and concepts that will draw you back into listening. Through wider reading you will enhance your knowledge, and you may start to formulate your own ideas about the topic too. You may agree or disagree with what is being said, or you may predict what is going to be said next. Write any thoughts and notes down as this will help to embed the information into your memory.
Be sure to stay until the end of your lectures and tutorials, otherwise you may miss key points and summaries.
It is recommended that you take meaningful notes - try to write some notes rather than none but do not write everything down. Listen for the lecturer to signpost key points and look out for important concepts that are highlighted through body language and emphasis.
Try to listen to the words of the speaker carefully and then paraphrase them in your notes. Make your notes attractive, consider using a different colour for distinct parts of the lecture or images, drawings or mind maps that will help with memory recall. Anything that you can do to make your notes more engaging will make them more interesting and palatable to read over later. You could attend our workshops on notetaking where we provide hints and tips to create effective notes.
If you missed a lecture, struggled to follow along, or have gaps in your notes, play back a recording of the lecture at a convenient time. Develop@Derby workshops are recorded and, as we use Panopto, you can make use of the functions to pause, repeat and slow down the presentation. You can then revisit your notes and fill in any gaps.
To stay focused within your teaching sessions, try to refrain from side conversations. No matter how tempting, try not to engage in conversations with the person sitting next to you or to eavesdrop on a conversation nearby. Switch your phone off, block notifications or place it on silent.
Also, try not to daydream. Since our brains often process information faster than it is spoken, use that spare mental capacity to think over what is said, think about how that makes you feel and what your thoughts and opinions are on the matter and write them down. These notes may be useful in a future essay and will improve your skills of critical thinking.
Try to pay your attention to the lecturer or speaker. Listen to the tone and speed of their words. They will use their tone to convey what is important and needs noting.
To be an effective listener, where you are able, you need to listen with your ears and eyes, looking out for any non-verbal clues from body language.
If possible, try to face the speaker and make eye contact. Making eye contact shows the lecturer you are interested in what they are saying that you are listening, that you are engaged, and you understand what they are saying.
Depending on the situation try to seek clarification if you do not understand anything. In a lecture or an online workshop, lecturers and speakers usually allow time for questions at the end. In group work or in a 1.1 conversation always ask questions where you are unsure of what is being discussed. Open questions are useful to obtain information - begin your questions with ‘what,’ ‘why,’ ‘where’ and ‘how’. You can offer your opinion in a respectful way if you believe that the speaker is incorrect, or you are offering another viewpoint.
It is also nice to provide feedback where possible. This helps the lecturer or speaker learn from and enhance further sessions.
Re-read notes and consolidate your learning. Do not just ignore the notes until you need them for an essay or exam. Revisiting them will help you make sense of them and will give you a chance to think of any questions you might want to ask for clarification. Returning to the notes will also help to embed the lecture/tutorial in your memory.
